You Won’t Believe What Happens When an Opossum Exposes Its Rabies Risk!

Tue, 05 May 2026 08:32:07 +0000

You Won’t Believe What Happens When an Opossum Exposes Its Rabies Risk – The Wild Truth Behind This Misunderstood Creature When most people hear “opossum and rabies,” concern jumps to the top of the list. But contrary to popular belief, not all opossums infected with rabies pose an immediate threat — and understanding why can save unnecessary panic. In this article, we unravel the surprising reality of what happens when an opossum shows signs of rabies, how rabies risk is assessed, and the science behind these misunderstood marsupials. ### Why Opossums Survive Rabies More Than Other Wildlife Opossums (Didelphis virginiana) are America’s most common marsupial and nature’s surprising rabies survivors. Unlike most mammals, opossums rarely transmit rabies — even when exposed. Their immune system uniquely neutralizes the rabies virus before it spreads in their nervous system. This rare resistance makes locating a genuinely rabid opossum extremely difficult and emphasizes why immediate panic is unfounded.