"Hey, I’m an opossum, and I’m not here to harm you. In fact, I’m doing a lot more for you than you realize. Every night, I feast on up to 2,000 ticks and other pests that can spread dangerous diseases. Not only that, but I keep venomous snakes in check, even those like rattlesnakes and coral snakes. My body is built to survive bites from these deadly creatures—yep, I even munch on them like they’re a snack.
Did you know that my blood has helped scientists create life-saving treatments for snake bites? Without me, there would be more ticks, more snakes, and fewer treatments to save lives. So next time you see me, remember—I’m not a threat. I’m out here working hard to make the world safer for everyone.

More here: https://ifeg.info/2025/09/04/meet-the-opossum-a-silent-hero-in-your-backyard/