Opossums are unique animals that are part of the marsupial family. They are in fact the only marsupials found in North America. Marsupials are those animals that carry their babies in a sac on their tummies.
Opossums are scavengers and are curious and adventurous little creatures. This brings them into conflict with humans, who don’t want them in their garden or burrowing through their trash.
Killing opossums:
Killing animals without reason is cruel, but when it must be done, it should only be if necessary, and that too in the most pain-free way possible. If you have caught opossums using traps, and now want to get rid of them, you might be wondering which one is the best pain-free method. Read on, and you’ll find out.
Shooting an opossum
Many people choose to shoot opossums, mainly those who live in the countryside and are legal gun-owners. However shooting is mostly done while hunting possums at night, rather when they are in a cage. If you decide to shoot your opossum, use a silencer if you’re living in an urban area, so you don’t frighten your neighbors. Also, keep in mind that opossums bleed a lot. Opossums are known to carry diseases in their blood, so you will have to disinfect the area afterward to make it safe for children and pets to play there.
Clubbing the opossum:
Some wildlife removal companies suggest clubbing the opossum's head with a stick or large hammer to break its skull. However, this method will require several hits to the head before the creature dies. This is cruelty to the little creature, which will have to go through intense pain before it passes out. I do not suggest this method at all.
Poisoning an opossum:
Poisoning an opossum is a method, but it is usually used for opossums that one can’t find. People usually leave poisons out in their garbage for it to eat and die. But this is also not an effective method because a) there are no poisons available in the market specifically designed for opossums. So you will have to use poison for another animal. b) This poison might not be so effective, and the animal might not die right away. It might become aggressive and wild instead.
Breaking its neck:
The simple method to kill these little creatures is to break their neck. Lie the animal on the ground on its belly. Place a stick across its neck and stand on the stick on either side of its head. Quickly jerk the tail upwards. You will hear a cracking sound. This means that its neck has broken. The creature will die a quick, painful death.
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