This relationship, or at least who is afraid of who, I can’t figure out.
For a long time I thought the possums were afraid of the coons. It seemed that if a coon was eating and a possum came around, the possum was scared to go to the food and would leave. So the possums were afraid of the coons.
Then a few times I would see a coon eating and when a possum came around the coon would leave. Is the coon afraid of the possum? Most of the times I’ve seen this it was a big possum approaching. Could the size of the coon and possum have an effect?
Once I saw a coon eating and a small possum came up and the coon ran at the possum and chased it off. Was this just because it was a small possum and not a large one? Was it just a mean coon?
I have never seen a possum eating and a coon approach. Is this because the coon does not get close and just leaves? If this is so I never saw the coon coming, but the light is not good and I could have missed seeing the coon.
I don’t know the answers. If anyone has any ideas I would be glad to hear them.
A few days ago I did see a large coon eating and a small possum come up. The coon left. Had he just eaten all he wanted? Why was a small possum not afraid to approach a large coon? Could the large coon have been afraid of the small possum?
Since they are eating at the same place regularly are they possibly getting use to each other? Maybe soon they will start eating together regularly.
I did get a photo of the big coon leaving when a small possum approached and have published it. You can see it by clicking on the link below.
http://www.gather.com/viewImage.jsp?fileId=3096224744383385&memberId=67122
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Comments: 48
I do know that if you disturb a raccoon and people come up on them while they are eating, they will attak you. The common opinion is that they are the smarter of the two specias but then it is like the cat and dog, they are smart in different ways.
On the other hand I think the possum is a more mellow fellow and gentle if not threatened. They only live 5 to 7 years and carry their young in a pouch. They are also nocturnal by nature while coons can show up about anytime.
The only coons or possums I see are either near the road at night or are roadkill.
Robbie. True. Raccoons are more aggressive than Opossums, but unless someone suddenly and comes up really close on a raccoon while eating, they won't attack. They attack out of fear. When there is no other option. When they have nowhere to run. They would much rather run away than attack.
A piece of trivia about raccoons: Raccoons are related to the bears.
Next time you see a possum eating. Look in the dark and see if you can see a coons eyes. Or at least shine a flash light that way. If there is one out there. You will see the gleem for their eyes.
Also known as 'red eye' in photography terms.