They make pretty good pets, too. They are actually very smart & quite tidy. They use a litter box like a cat would. I had a house possum named Ethel. She was a sweety.
My grandma died when she was 97. I used to sit around and pick her brain, especially about the depression. She told me that during that time, she developed a fondness for the taste of possum. Although it was a little greasy....Steve
their fairly harmless actually they eat lots of bugs and small critters like mice also they tidy up dead stuff -- just keep the food put away and they will leave --- they will keep coming as long as there is a free meal to be had -- Ivan
You're more brave than I am. As much as I like em', I wouldn't try and pick it up by the tail because knowing my luck I'd get a finger or two chewed off.
They are great little animals though!