# Eww... There is a Random, Tailed Creature Breeding Outside My Window! **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [August 19, 2005, 11:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eww-there-is-a-random-tailed-creature-breeding-outside-my-window/317819 "2005-08-19T23:06:45Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![DiosaBellissima](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a8b319/32.png) [@DiosaBellissima](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DiosaBellissima)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2005, 3:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eww-there-is-a-random-tailed-creature-breeding-outside-my-window/317819/21 "2005-08-20T03:23:58Z")
> [@The Weird One](#): > > _snerk_ > Fergit the 'possum; the real question is, what the hell did you do to that poor dog?!? He was hot, so he got a hair cut. There was a whole thread on it somewhere 😃 And **1920s Style “Death Ray”** , although ye olde komodo dragon can fit into tight spots, I doubt he could fit in 6 inches under some crap in our yard. If he can… I for one welcome our-- aw screw it, it has already been done! We still don’t know what exactly we are dealing with here. Hopefully tomorrow we shall know for sure. ---
**Author:** ![Richard\_Pearse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/richard_pearse/32/13144_2.png) [@Richard\_Pearse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Pearse)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2005, 3:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eww-there-is-a-random-tailed-creature-breeding-outside-my-window/317819/22 "2005-08-20T03:27:15Z")
That’s actually a picture of a goanna, a common sight in some parts of Australia. I was thinking of a smaller lizard for your particular situation. ---
**Author:** ![picunurse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7bcc69/32.png) [@picunurse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/picunurse)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2005, 3:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eww-there-is-a-random-tailed-creature-breeding-outside-my-window/317819/23 "2005-08-20T03:46:50Z")
> [@DiosaBellissima](#): > > I’ll bite on this whole possum thing, but— what kind of possum would have that small of a tail? Baby possum? > > … > … > … > > [Aw, crap!](http://www.abc.net.au/science/scribblygum/May2000/img/f_baby_possum.jpg) > > Should I call animal control? I mean, I’m not sure that it is a possum or anything (my dog could be crazy-- and we already know about me 😃 ). Should we move the stuff and discover on our own? Burn down the house and run to Mexico with the insurance? 😉 That’s not a possum. Possums are marsupials, the babies live in the mother’s pouch until well after their eyes open. The San Joaquin Valley/Bakersfield does indeed have rats and mice. The thing in your picture appears to be a mouse or rat. ---
**Author:** ![Kythereia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e8c25b/32.png) [@Kythereia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kythereia)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2005, 4:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eww-there-is-a-random-tailed-creature-breeding-outside-my-window/317819/24 "2005-08-20T04:03:38Z")
It’s a baby dragon, I’m telling you… ---
**Author:** ![DiosaBellissima](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a8b319/32.png) [@DiosaBellissima](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DiosaBellissima)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2005, 4:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eww-there-is-a-random-tailed-creature-breeding-outside-my-window/317819/25 "2005-08-20T04:28:14Z")
> [@picunurse](#): > > That’s not a possum. Possums are marsupials, the babies live in the mother’s pouch until well after their eyes open. > The San Joaquin Valley/Bakersfield does indeed have rats and mice. > The thing in your picture appears to be a mouse or rat. That wasnt a picture of what I have, that was a picture of a baby possum from Google. I very well could be dealing with rats, but I’d be damned shocked. No one in this area (and we’ve lived here 20 years) has ever said anything about mice or rats. We’ve never found a single one in our house/yard/ etc. Now, my friends that live on the edges of town have mice all the time, but that’s way over there. I want to still believe it’s a kitten 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Dark\_Side\_of\_the\_Floyd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/bb73d2/32.png) [@Dark\_Side\_of\_the\_Floyd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dark_Side_of_the_Floyd)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2005, 5:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eww-there-is-a-random-tailed-creature-breeding-outside-my-window/317819/26 "2005-08-20T05:08:43Z")
> [@pinkfreud](#): > > What about the Irish ones? 😛 Har! ---
**Author:** ![SnakesCatLady](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/4af34b/32.png) [@SnakesCatLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SnakesCatLady)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2005, 5:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eww-there-is-a-random-tailed-creature-breeding-outside-my-window/317819/27 "2005-08-20T05:32:57Z")
> [@astro](#): > > [Sweet little things](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v299/pic_unperfect/People%20Pics/angry_possum.jpg) See? That’s what I said about the dental work. Kittens usually\* aren’t born with totally naked tails. \*there are exceptions. I doubt a Rex or Spinx is breeding under the woodpile ---
**Author:** ![JimSox5](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/b5a626/32.png) [@JimSox5](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JimSox5)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2005, 5:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eww-there-is-a-random-tailed-creature-breeding-outside-my-window/317819/28 "2005-08-20T05:38:43Z")
> [@1920s Style "Death Ray"](#): > > [Our](http://www.richard-seaman.com/Mammals/Australia/PossumSideView.jpg) ones _are_ sweet little things! When I was living in Darwin we used to hand feed a tribe of them that lived in a tree in the middle of town. Those aren’t proper possums. Those are imposter possums sent so that people won’t realize how nasty real possums are. On the other hand, they give me a chance to say proper possum, which is quite a lot of fun to say. Try it sometime, preferrably in the middle of a busy store or loudly in your cubicle. ---
**Author:** ![Blake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a9a28c/32.png) [@Blake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blake)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2005, 5:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eww-there-is-a-random-tailed-creature-breeding-outside-my-window/317819/29 "2005-08-20T05:51:29Z")
> [@picunurse](#): > > That’s not a possum. Possums are marsupials, the babies live in the mother’s pouch until well after their eyes open. > … > The thing in your picture appears to be a mouse or rat. Pssst, check out the address. That’s an Australian website. And that’s an Australian possum. Quite unrelated to the American **O** possum, which is a good reason to keep the “O” in place. Saves mistakes like this. In this case it appears to be a photo of a pygmy possum. They are unusual creatures in that they are about the size and shape of a rat. They could easily be mistaken for rats if they weren’t so darn cute. The other odd thing about them is that the young only stay in the pouch for a couple of weeks. After that they are left in the nest just like in the photo: blind and helpless. In that respect they resemble placental mammals. So yep, that’s a possum, just not an opossum. As far as the presence of rats, unless you live in the arctic then you have rats living nearby. Doesn’t matter whether it’s Lima, Los Angeles or Lisbon, you will have rats. You often don’t see them these days because control is so effective, but they will be living nearby, often in sewers or storm drains. It wouldn;t be even slightly surprising if it was a rat. ---
**Author:** ![Dijon\_Warlock](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a9a28c/32.png) [@Dijon\_Warlock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dijon_Warlock)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2005, 8:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eww-there-is-a-random-tailed-creature-breeding-outside-my-window/317819/30 "2005-08-20T08:24:32Z")
[Just in case it IS a 'possum.](http://www.cooks.com/rec/doc/0,1926,155169-228196,00.html) ---
**Author:** ![Zsofia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/7bcc69/32.png) [@Zsofia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zsofia)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2005, 1:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eww-there-is-a-random-tailed-creature-breeding-outside-my-window/317819/31 "2005-08-20T13:19:08Z")
If it is a possum, and your dog goes back where it is, call Animal Control or something and have it gotten rid of. They’re dangerous animals when cornered, as previously mentioned, and I’m sure one could really tear a dog up. My Westie trees them sometimes, but I dont’ want to think what might happen if there wasn’t a tree handy. They have a _lot_ of teeth, more teeth than any little creature like that really needs. Of course, my possums are the size of Shelties sometimes. ---
**Author:** ![Mama\_Tiger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/6de8d8/32.png) [@Mama\_Tiger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mama_Tiger)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2005, 1:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eww-there-is-a-random-tailed-creature-breeding-outside-my-window/317819/32 "2005-08-20T13:29:18Z")
> [@Futile Gesture](#): > > No-one else thinking of the start of E.T. ?? > > Put out M&Ms. Please! It _must_ be Reese’s Pieces! E.T.s prefer the peanut butter! ---
**Author:** ![Wile\_E](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c37758/32.png) [@Wile\_E](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wile_E)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2005, 1:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eww-there-is-a-random-tailed-creature-breeding-outside-my-window/317819/33 "2005-08-20T13:54:54Z")
No worries, just wait for the coyotes to move in, they’ll take care of it. ---
**Author:** ![Wolfian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/7ea924/32.png) [@Wolfian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wolfian)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2005, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eww-there-is-a-random-tailed-creature-breeding-outside-my-window/317819/34 "2005-08-20T18:24:44Z")
> [@DiosaBellissima](#): > > My chow, [Doc](http://groups.msn.com/_Secure/0TwCbAhIYXMWo*Q5ALVOQJ8JnbnyRHeWcjYU3AeXzhPabxyJ1*XxmY7GRM0vHzPd3afrG2LdXdssJUy9ZnUsRJyiHGjntTWJThBj2AemVfwKyhlRNX*oMcA/Picture%20051.jpg?dc=4675531597312391345) hates cats.\ Wait a second. Where have I seen that animal before? [Oh yeah.](http://www.myblog.fr/albums/Final-Fantasy-7/33070.jpg) Just give him Counter materia, a Restore, and a decent summon and you’ll be fine. ---
**Author:** ![DiosaBellissima](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a8b319/32.png) [@DiosaBellissima](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DiosaBellissima)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2005, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eww-there-is-a-random-tailed-creature-breeding-outside-my-window/317819/35 "2005-08-20T19:02:56Z")
**Wolfian** …now I want to braid my dog’s hair. He thanks you, I’m sure. 🙂 We’ve yet to look, but Scooby is in the fenced off area, sleeping away. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Carter\_of\_Mars](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/2bfe46/32.png) [@John\_Carter\_of\_Mars](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Carter_of_Mars)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2005, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eww-there-is-a-random-tailed-creature-breeding-outside-my-window/317819/36 "2005-08-20T19:35:29Z")
Possum control is simple and effective. Next time you see his tail sticking out, simply grab the tail and pull him out of his hiding place. Hold him up by the tail. He will turn his head to growl and snarl at you, but swinging him a little to create centrifugal force will keep him from reaching your hand to bite it. Carry him to the edge of your yard and give him a moderate fling over the fence. He’ll lumber away, much to your relief. Possum’s gone, animal control hasn’t been bothered, and your dog will let you sleep at night. Now; here’s a little true story from my college days: Takin’ this course called “Reproductive Physiology” and the professor keeps requesting that somebody bring in a female possum, as the critters have dual reproductive tracts and he wants to dissect one to further our education, so’s we can observe in person this singlular animal with two reproductive tracts. In due time, one of them good ol’ boys came to class with a possum in a sack. The professor, delighted, then asked if anyone knew how to kill a possum. Replies varied from car to shotgun to a large stick, but Prof scoffed at such crude measures. “Behold” says he: “You grip the possum’s tail in one hand, place the other hand around the possum’s neck, and jerk sharply, thus severing the spinal cord and killing the possum in a most humane manner.” He commenced to begin to demonstrate. Holding the snarling animal by the tail, he placed his hand around its neck and jerked. Except, his grip on the neck wasn’t quite firm enough, and instead of snapping the thing’s neck, he pulled his fingers into the beast’s mouth! At once did the possum begin to chew and gnaw, and bright blood flowed from Prof’s fingers in copious amounts. At length, with much swearing, he got his hand extricated from the possum’s mouth. Still gripping the tail with his other hand, he swung the possum full force against the classroom wall\ which indeed resulted in the creatrure’s demise. After a moment of awed silence, one of the class wags exclaimed: “Now _THAT’S_ how to kill a possum!” Got out of the rest of class that day because Prof had to be taken to the university’s clinic for stitches, tetnus shots, etc. All in a days’ learning. ---
**Author:** ![Apricot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/bcef8e/32.png) [@Apricot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Apricot)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2005, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eww-there-is-a-random-tailed-creature-breeding-outside-my-window/317819/37 "2005-08-20T19:47:10Z")
We’ve had “pet” opossums here in the Pacific NW. They LOVE slugs, so I want to keep them around. I’ve lived in happy coexistance with a really big opossum for about 4 years. He eats cat food (bought special for him) and slugs and leftovers and lives under the porch. I wouldn’t worry about well-fed possums except for the smell. They like to drag dead things into their den. It makes their “play dead” trick more convincing when they actually smell dead. They are the only active carrion seeking mammal in the US. Opossums that eat cat food don’t smell nearly as bad and they have nice shiny fur, bright eyes, and supple pink skin on their tails. They also waddle adorably. ---
**Author:** ![Musicat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/musicat/32/20189_2.png) [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2005, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eww-there-is-a-random-tailed-creature-breeding-outside-my-window/317819/38 "2005-08-20T20:27:46Z")
I think 'possums are cute. And harmless. They are among the many animals that visit my porch at night to clean up whatever table scraps I toss out. Unlike some people who have sat at my table, no 'possum has ever complained about the menu. ---
**Author:** ![DiosaBellissima](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a8b319/32.png) [@DiosaBellissima](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DiosaBellissima)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2005, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eww-there-is-a-random-tailed-creature-breeding-outside-my-window/317819/39 "2005-08-20T21:46:23Z")
> [@John Carter of Mars](#): > > Carry him to the edge of your yard and give him a moderate fling over the fence. He’ll lumber away, much to your relief. Possum’s gone, animal control hasn’t been bothered, and your dog will let you sleep at night. > . I’m pretty sure that my neighbors and their small, toddler children would not appreciate that 😃 My dad is supposed to check the evil creature when he gets home from the gym. If it is anything other then adorable: kittens, puppies, or bunnies animal control shall be called with the quickness. Although I am sure possums are harmless when left alone, our next door neighbors have a bunch (a gaggle, perhaps? Four kids) of kids under 6. In other words, they have a gaggle of children that would looooove to cuddle the sweet lil’ possum. Which, as we all know, could end…not so good. ---
**Author:** ![Blake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a9a28c/32.png) [@Blake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blake)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2005, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eww-there-is-a-random-tailed-creature-breeding-outside-my-window/317819/40 "2005-08-20T21:51:24Z")
> [@Apricot](#): > > They are the only active carrion seeking mammal in the US. Aside from coyotes. And wolves. And grizzly bears. And black bears. And polar bears. And racoons. And… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eww-there-is-a-random-tailed-creature-breeding-outside-my-window/317819.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eww-there-is-a-random-tailed-creature-breeding-outside-my-window/317819.md?page=3)