ickplantMar 21

Opossum Fact: Opossums do not eat ticks

https://lemmy.world/post/44551271

Show threadickplantMar 21

Just FYI, I got a lot of flak for mentioning this fact in opossum communities on social media sites. No one wants to believe that they aren’t these amazing tick-eating heroes.

I say they are still heroes and prevent a lot of disease and nastiness! They just don’t eat ticks.

Show threadthisbenzingring
they don’t really live in the same environments, so concluding the the opossums ate them all was lazy
Mar 21 at 3:06pmWeb
Show threadHubertManneMar 21
they don’t. we have forest preserves with deer and deer ticks and possums. I mean I would call that the same environment. coyotes and racoons and such to.
Show threadI_Fart_GlitterMar 21
I read the study a long time ago, it was to do with tick covered opossums. Also, I’ve got both in my yard.
Show threadPapaStevesyMar 21
Uh yeah they absolutely live in some of the same environments, what are you talking about? They both live in the Midwest US for sure.
Show threadthisbenzingringMar 21
well it’s definitely situational because in Washington State they don’t
Show threadPapaStevesyMar 21
Having done very minimal research, yes they do. Just because you don’t see them hanging out doesn’t mean they’re not there. Here’s the opossum’s range, at least three of these ticks live in the same region.
Wild Mammals of North America

Winner of the 1984 Wildlife Publications Award from the Wildlife Society, the first edition of Wild Mammals of North America (published in 1982) offered zoologists, naturalists, wildlife specialists, and students detailed information about the biology, conservation status, and management of 57 mammalian species and species groups, with contributions from 100 of the leading authorities. Now thoroughly revised to reflect new biological research and approaches to wildlife conservation and management, the second edition of this "essential volume" (Wildlife Society Bulletin) continues to provide the most current and comprehensive data on the distribution, physiology, ecology, behavior, commercial value, and viability of nongame species including bats, woodrats, prairie dogs, and armadillo, the whales, seals, and sireians, as well as carnivores, furbearers, and big game species.

Google Books
Show threadMrQuallzinMar 22
I’ve seem more than my fair share of possums here