Although Virginia opossums are important seed dispersers and can carry a variety of internal and external parasites, it is unusual for this species to be a carrier of rabies.
Virginia opossums are important seed dispersers and redistribute undamaged seeds from the genera Asimina and Diospyros, among others.
These animals are also carriers for a wide variety of internal and external parasites. Virginia opossums are known carriers of at least 24 internal and 13 external parasites.
Although they are not immune, it is unusual for this species to be a carrier of the rabies virus.
Sources: (Baker, Cook, Johnson, & Lamberski, 1995; Durden & Nixon, 1990; McManus, 1974; McRuer & Jones, 2009; Rejmanek, et al., 2009; Siciliano, 2013; Willson, 1993)
Image: Randall Billings
