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

Shocking Truth Behind the Fear: Do Opossums Really Hide Deadly Rabies Inside? When it comes to wildlife encounters, few creatures spark as much unease as the opossum. With its ghostly pale face, lanky limbs, and uncanny disease-fighting reputation, the opossum is often shrouded in myths—especially the alarming belief that these animals secretly harbor deadly rabies inside their bodies. In this article, we’ll uncover the shocking truth behind this fear, debunk common misconceptions, and explain why opossums are actually not the rabies menace many fear them to be. ### The Rabies Myth: Fact or Fiction? Rabies is a deadly viral disease that attacks the nervous system of mammals, including humans—a threat that understandably inspires fear. The misconception that opossums “hide” rabies inside is rooted in a misunderstanding of their unique biology. Unlike most warm-blooded animals, opossums are among the few mammal species with a naturally low susceptibility to rabies infection.