Can a mother possum infect her babies through her milk with rabies?

Question

A mother possum was killed in a car accident last night and my cousin rescued the 10 babies. I want to know if the babies could possibly have rabies. Whether or not the mother had rabies is unknown, but for safety precautions, I would like to know.

Answer 1

I have been told that it is unlikely that an opposum could carry the rabies virus because it's body temperature is too low to support it, but there are cases where rabid opposums have been found. See link below.

Caution with wild mammals is always advisable.

Answer 2

You should always handle wild animals with caution, regardless of whether or not they have rabies. Take them to a wildlife rehabilitator in your area They can give the babies the proper care that they will need to survive. For your saftey, and theirs, do NOT try to raise them yourself.

Answer 3

Virgina oppsussums are resistant to rabies.  " . . . .. .rarely transmit diseases to humans, and are surprisingly resistant to rabies, due mainly to their lower body temperatures when compared to most placental mammals." (Wikipedia)

We raised some when I was a kid by feeding them milk with a dropper. They will never act domesticated and will run off to do what possums do when they get big enough. Their life span rarely exceeds two years.

Answer 4

possibly....