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MineralMan

(151,532 posts)

15. My wife said exactly that one time at the Minnesota Zoo.

Sat Oct 18, 2014, 01:37 PM

Oct 2014

This huge moose had come up to the observation platform where I was standing, rested his lower jaw on the railing and looked at me intently with his big brown eyes. So, I reached out and began scratching his head between the ears. The moose made soft grunting sounds to encourage me to continue.

This despite a clearly worded sign forbidding me from touching the moose. Given the animal's behavior, I suspect that head-scratching was a common pleasure for it.

So, anyhow, a woman with a couple of pre-teen kids comes walking onto the platform. My wife looked at the kids and said, "Do not do what that man is doing." It has become a standard joke between the two of us.

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10 Reasons to Love Opossums [View all] Omaha Steve Oct 2014 OP

And they can eat cane toads. Downwinder Oct 2014 #1

Oh, jeez. Just. What. Hawaii. Needs. Possums. Hekate Oct 2014 #28

Their normal lifespan is only about 3 years Ino Oct 2014 #2

Good job, Ino Feral Child Oct 2014 #3

Fascinating creatures! Feral Child Oct 2014 #4

I love possums--used to have some visit my backyard in Nebraska. TwilightGardener Oct 2014 #5

I have one loyal 840high Oct 2014 #67

They're cutie pies! n/t Prophet 451 Oct 2014 #6

I find them terrifying. JaneyVee Oct 2014 #7

They're not aggressive (unless you try to handle them) and don't carry disease thanks valerief Oct 2014 #13

Not so fast with that silly and dangerous myth. kestrel91316 Oct 2014 #18

they can also carry leptospirosis... we have lost four dogs here in St. John's County so far. We secondwind Oct 2014 #31

Leptospirosis, carried by possums, killed 40% of the sea otters in Morro Bay Bette Noir Oct 2014 #34

Huh? I thought that was all due to toxoplasmosis from feral cat feces in the watershed. kestrel91316 Oct 2014 #51

My experience is that they're pretty chill about being handled, too Scootaloo Oct 2014 #45

They're pretty inoffensive, overall. MineralMan Oct 2014 #8

"Do not do what that man is doing" lumberjack_jeff Oct 2014 #12

My wife said exactly that one time at the Minnesota Zoo. MineralMan Oct 2014 #15

When I was a kid Jenoch Oct 2014 #60

Nice memory for you. MineralMan Oct 2014 #62

I was only seven years old at the time. Jenoch Oct 2014 #64

I have a feral cat I take care of. Built a little shelter for it and feed it. Fla Dem Oct 2014 #20

I have read that cats and possums live together hfojvt Oct 2014 #33

And if they DO try to bite... Scootaloo Oct 2014 #46

I didn't know that. None ever offered to bite in the first place. MineralMan Oct 2014 #49

Have you seen many opossums this year in MN? NickB79 Oct 2014 #48

I saw one the other morning when I went out to get the paper this week. MineralMan Oct 2014 #50

The raccoons and turkeys are rock-solid in our winters NickB79 Oct 2014 #53

A skunk has taken to wandering through our backyard. I would SO much rather have a possum! Hekate Oct 2014 #54

We nose what you mean pinboy3niner Oct 2014 #55

You can try contacting your local wildlife commission justiceischeap Oct 2014 #73

I love the Crazy Opossum Lady on YouTube. valerief Oct 2014 #9

I know her! LOL nt Mojorabbit Oct 2014 #14

Personally? She's hilarious with those opossum clips. And I learned so much! valerief Oct 2014 #16

That was damn funny! AndreaCG Oct 2014 #27

Love it. 840high Oct 2014 #68

Growing up TlalocW Oct 2014 #10

Aww. Haven't seen any in years. And they just *love* cat kibble. So don't leave it on the porch. freshwest Oct 2014 #11

One gave my dog a nasty scratch on her nose once pinboy3niner Oct 2014 #17

I don't think they live up here... Blue_In_AK Oct 2014 #19

I'm pretty sure I've got one living under my porch. Vinca Oct 2014 #21

11 !! ThoughtCriminal Oct 2014 #22

Before my husband got sick & we had to downsize our living space, we had a big old 2 story, 3 BR catbyte Oct 2014 #23

Used to see them all the time in N CA. CaptainTruth Oct 2014 #24

Q: "Why did the chicken cross the road?" lastlib Oct 2014 #25

LOL! pinboy3niner Oct 2014 #26

lol. poor dears. always lying dead in LA roads Liberal_in_LA Oct 2014 #66

Back in my wildlife rehab days we'd get rescued babies when moms were killed. nolabear Oct 2014 #29

baby mice ride on their mom's back too hfojvt Oct 2014 #30

squeeee... dionysus Oct 2014 #32

I used to see one every night in Boston when I walked home from the subway Warpy Oct 2014 #35

That's why I love them around the house. Solly Mack Oct 2014 #36

I adore opossums! MoonRiver Oct 2014 #37

Possums are cool..... lastlib Oct 2014 #61

All animals, except humans, are cool! MoonRiver Oct 2014 #72

Since its cooled off Go Vols Oct 2014 #38

Sorry....but no love for oppossums here. northoftheborder Oct 2014 #39

I had this post about faeries... Omaha Steve Oct 2014 #40

I looked out the window one day last March to see this guy checking out the birdfeeder. mnhtnbb Oct 2014 #41

Maybe true..but possums are a bit of a pest around here... Sancho Oct 2014 #42

I agree with you! I live trap them and take them for a little truck ride. B Calm Oct 2014 #44

The big old males can be pretty scary looking. hunter Oct 2014 #43

We have one that has endeared our hearts Oilwellian Oct 2014 #47

# 11. d_r Oct 2014 #52

Until I saw that, I thought all marsupials were cute... Violet_Crumble Oct 2014 #56

Not all fairytales are fantasy Omaha Steve Oct 2014 #59

Kudos to you for contributing to the Wilderness Society! Violet_Crumble Oct 2014 #69

Almost hit one last night with my car, edhopper Oct 2014 #57

11. Barbecue. JEB Oct 2014 #58

The first time I saw an opossum Jenoch Oct 2014 #63

As long as they don't try to get in my attic LeftInTX Oct 2014 #65

Already a member of their fan club. beam me up scottie Oct 2014 #70

I had a neighbor got nuts over an opossum gollygee Oct 2014 #71