Opossums are everywhere on TikTok right now, thanks to righteous outrage over a recent YouTube stunt involving one of the innocent creatures. The viral incident has sparked a wave of support for these misunderstood marsupials, with creators flooding the platform to share heartwarming stories, fun facts, and adorable videos of opossums in an effort to set the record straight about their often-misjudged nature.
A Viral Shift in Perception
The internet’s response has been swift and powerful. TikTok creators are using their platforms to educate followers about opossums while showcasing their gentle side. One video, which has already gathered over 69,000 likes, was shared by a creator who goes by “kelpiesmom“. It features a rescued opossum contentedly eating from a small bowl. Later, it’s seen sleeping soundly on its back in a cozy cat bed, one small foot raised adorably in the air.
The comments section, with over a thousand entries, is filled with warmth and affection. “I’ve always had a soft spot for possums. I think they’re adorable,” one user wrote. Others shared their own heartwarming backyard encounters. One person described watching an opossum wander into their garden, delicately snack on a single pea pod, and then quietly move along. These personal stories are painting a new, much kinder picture of an animal often unfairly maligned.
Nature’s Unsung Helpers
Beyond their gentle disposition, opossums are incredible assets to our ecosystems. As North America’s only marsupial, they carry their young in a pouch, just like kangaroos. These nomadic animals rarely stay in one place for long, making them unobtrusive neighbors.
One of their most amazing traits is their remarkable resistance to venom. This immunity allows them to prey on venomous snakes like copperheads and rattlesnakes, helping to control their populations, and their resistance to venom is being studied for its potentially life-saving impacts for humans.
While their appetite for ticks may be overestimated, they are nature’s own little cleanup crew, also eating snails, slugs, and fallen fruit. Contrary to popular belief, they are fastidiously clean animals and are highly resistant to rabies.
@ke1piesm0m we really don’t deserve animals #rosscreations #possum #opossum ♬ not a lot, just forever – Adrianne Lenker
A Creature Worth Protecting
The viral outrage has brought a new-found appreciation for the opossum. These animals are not “rodents” as many are fond of saying. They are quiet, solitary creatures that play a vital role in maintaining a healthy environment, asking for little more than to be left alone to go about their nightly duties.
The next time you see an opossum waddling through your yard under the moonlight, take a moment to appreciate it for what it is: a fascinating and primarily beneficial neighbor. By learning more about them and sharing their story, we can continue to turn a moment of senseless cruelty into a lasting movement of compassion and respect for these incredible animals.
