The Rural Voice, 1993-07, Page 39documented arrival of the opossum in
this area as occurring in 1983.
"I can't think of even a single
complaint received from area
farmers," Malhiot says. "Many
people have encountered opossums
and are concerned about them as a
possible carrier of rabies, but we have
not really had any serious problems
with them at all. These animals are
likely not going to become that much
of a threat to anything in our area,
bird populations or otherwise,
because they will likely be killed off
after a few hard winters."
The opossum has been found to be
highly resistant to rabies infection,
and while there is a potential for them
to become rabid, tests done at
Ministry laboratories do not indicate
a single instance of rabies in the
opossum. As a warm-blooded
mammal it can carry a host of
wildlife diseases, but mange and a
form of distemper could present the
most serious threat to other animals.
Despite its many teeth and
somewhat vicious appearance, the
opossum will not generally attack
humans or other animals. The
expression "play 'possum" is based
on the fact that, when cornered, the
animal generally falls over as if it
were dead. Puzzled by such
behaviour, predatory animals will
usually leave it unharmed. Scientific
studies show that the opossum
actually goes into a state of
uncontrolled shock on such
occasions. However, it wakes after
several minutes and often scurries
away to the safety of a tree.
"If they do pose a problem to a
farmer or landowner, they can legally
be shot or trapped," Malhiot says.
"They have a defined season as a fur -
bearing animal and are presently
offered no special protection in
Ontario."
"Opossums are being spotted all
over our area," Malhiot added, "with
one even being sighted on the Bruce
Peninsula last summer. They are not
we hibernators, and a couple of hard
winters will certainly kill off most of
the population since they are unable
to avoid frostbite to their tail, ears
and paws. But until our weather
takes another dramatic turn, we can
expect to see a growing number of
these animals in our area."0
TNT EMUS
FLIGHTLESS
BIRD FARM
DON G. TRIEBNER
Ratite Association
Member
502 Main Street
Exeter, Ontario
Canada NOM 1S1
(519) 235-2364
Fax' (519) 235-1203
Farm: (519) 237-3641
Mobile: (519) 748-8413
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1
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MF 750D 2WD (T#4292) hydro, air, chopper,
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Gleaner L 2WD (T#9953) air, chopper, 30.5 x 32
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'CIH 1680 4WD (T#5547) 20.8 x 38 duals, spec.
rotor demo unit Ask for details
• ASTERISK UNITS - RECONDITIONED UNDER 1993 C.U.P. SERVICE PROGRAM
CALL LEN, JERRY OR BOB FOR FULL DETAILS
D
D
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JULY 1993 35