I learned something new about possums recently

[JennsPeeps]

I live near a living history museum that talks about the fur trade as part of it schtick. Last weekend I was there and asking about the various pelts that were hung on the wall of the trading post. After seeing the whole line-up, including a fisher cat!, I was told that there were no possums in the trading post.

This surprised me, since there are possums everywhere in WA State.

The 1880s trader told me that possums hadn't been introduced to WA territory yet. Possums hitched rides on cars, trucks, and railroads to the west coats in the early 1900s (probably the 30s and 40s, he said).

Who knew! Here I was, thinking that possums were a native animal. Since I can't stand non-native wild animals (cats, dogs, squirrels, sparrows, starlings, and now possums), I won't feel guilty anymore when I see them as roadkill.

 

[Ridgerunner]

I personally don't feel guilty when I see any roadkill. I manage my animals responsibly, as I expect you do, so I don't consider myself guilty. (I know, I'm playing on words.) I feel others should feel guilty when I see certain animals, such as animals normally kept as pets, as roadkill because some people are not spaying or neutering or taking proper care of their animals. I really dislike it when someone drops off a dog or cat in the "country" so they become roadkill or coyote food.

I do often drive on rural roads and am on the lookout for animals, especially after dark. I aggravate a lot of people since I normally drive the speed limit. Some animal populations have exploded due to habitat change and a lack of predators. Deer are a problem here but I probably see more skunks than anything else as roadkill.

As far as the possums, I guess the great plains stopped their westward migration. It's interesting what you can learn at these museums and visitors centers at parks.

Sorry for the rant, but I get too many beautiful animals dropped off around here and me and my neighbors are not taking them in.

 

[LizzyJo]

I have family that lives on the Olympic Peninsula and they consider it common knowledge that the folks from the southern US that settled in that area in the 20s and 30s brought the possums in for hunting. No one ever remembered them being around before.

I'm in my sixties and this is word-of-mouth from older relatives who were around in the 1890s - 1900s.

Now that I think about it, the migration from the southern states may have been in the 30s during the Depression when people were heading to Washington to the lumber camps, but I don't know for sure and am too lazy to research it.

 

[yotetrapper]

Why do you "hate" all non native animals? Does that mean you hate pheasants? You hate squirrels too? I agree on some of them, I hate feral cats and starlings, but I dont think all non-native wildlife is evil LOL.

 

[gypsy2621]

That's really interesting. who knew opossum were an introduced species.
good to know if I ever have to dispatch one, I wont feel nearly as guilty.
I dispise feeding the Wild Life. and no I dont have bird feeders ( bear feeders).

Non native animals as been stated more than 100 time I bet, are detrimental to native flora and fauna,
I certainly can understand peoples dislike for them
especially if an introduced species is devastating another species

 

[LizzyJo]

Gypsy, we were talking about them being introduced in Washington. They may well be (and likely are) native in your neck of the woods.

 

[joebryant]

Quote:
I agree 100%. Non-native plants and animals and birds should be removed from the U.S. Most citizens have no idea or give a rat's tail about what they've done to and are doing to our native birds, animals, and plants.

 

[gypsy2621]

Quote:
I am not sure if they are or not to be honest I am looking it up now as I type this. will get back to you on the outcome.

Still in all not a critter I want ruling my coops.

ETA: Link and the fact that it is in fact North Americas only Native marsupial:
The facts are on the home page and rather interesting, irregardless as long as it stays out of my pens it can stay around and live happily.

http://www.opossum.org/


Duh for got the link LOL