I think it was a mother ringtail possum and it's baby. All that's left of both is the head, stomach and intestines and a smear of blood. I noticed the first when hanging out the washing under the house. The other was near the carport. Foxes have been seen in the area. I can't imagine a cat eating such a big meal. Any suggestions?
2007-12-12 20:10:03 · 10 answers · asked by Where's Wally 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Zoology
Sorry, it can't be anything that lives in the US. I live in Australia!!!!!
2007-12-12 20:17:28 · update #1
Gee, I love all the answers so far :)
2007-12-12 20:20:55 · update #2
Aus possums are marsupials, with a pouch. They are a little clumsy and not very agressive, about the size of a large cat or a little bigger. I've known neighbours dogs to kill them but not eat them. Cat and fox are the only preditors around here that I can think of.
2007-12-13 02:46:50 · update #3
More than likely the foxes, I live in a quite rural area of England & my neighbours have huge problems with cats going missing & never even being spotted again in the, obviously I know that most cats go missing at some point but they have lost 3 so far & I don't think anyone is that unlucky! Plus my our dogs have found some kind of fascinating scent in our garden which he likes to roll around in & as far as I know the only smell that could be is fox
2007-12-12 20:50:27 · answer #1 · answered by Pixiesticks 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Possums can carry rabies, just like fox and dogs, or any warm blooded animal, us included. They usually send the animal to be tested if rabies (in the possum) is suspect. Did you see the dog kill the possum? How did the possum act? Was it cornered? They will fight when cornered like any other wild animal. BUT... if the possum was out in the open with plenty of places to hide or climb and chose to fight instead; it could have rabies. Take the head of the possum to a vet and see if they are still able to run a rabies test on it's brain. If not, quarantine your dog for at least a month. Make sure you can feed and water your pet safely during the quarantine. Do not get close enough for your pet to bite, even if it seems OK. Wait for 30 days before getting that close. If your dog starts to refuse food or water, snarls at you, lurches at you or staggers/foams at the mouth. Put the dog down. Best to shoot it, and put it out of the pain it will be in if it is rabies. Good luck and hope your pet is OK.
2016-05-23 08:34:37 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Any carnivoir could have eaten the possums, but what killed them. In the US possums are nearly as large as foxes and are much fiercer. Take a look in the mouth of the possum, with those teeth most foxes would lose. I don't know about Australia but in the US we would consider coyotes, badgers or cougars the more likely predators. The foxes could have been attracted by the carrion.
2007-12-13 02:26:56 · answer #3 · answered by paul 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i know what your talking about i live in aus as well and yes foxes are around my place as well i heard that foxes like big open areas and places to hide and if you have fences i don't think it would of been a dog home kept dogs or wild dogs cant jump that high over a fence but a fox could better reflexes
2007-12-15 11:38:52 · answer #4 · answered by random 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It could be a skunk, too. (Incidentally, hanging out the washing under the house??? Am I the only one who can't picture this?)
2007-12-12 20:14:33 · answer #5 · answered by Christina A 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
is it a fissure cat, those things are nasty like that
2007-12-12 20:13:20 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
what about dogs...or tasmanian devils.
2007-12-13 03:56:49 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
monsters! :o
lock your doors.
2007-12-12 20:17:13 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
a hungry hobo?
2007-12-12 20:15:41 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
RACCOONS
2007-12-12 22:42:06 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋