Possum threat. Kill it or leave it

[DragonsEye]

Originally Posted by Pareeeee

Some people here in Canada wrongfully call them "possums" too, not just Americans.

1. Possum is not the common name.

2.The common name is Virginia Opossum.

3. The scientific name is Didelphis virginiana.

"Possum" IS a common name. You are incorrect to assume there is only ONE "common" name. That would be as inaccurate as to say that "cougar" is THE common name for Puma concolor, when in fact "common" names for Puma concolor includes: Mexican lion, mountain lion, deer tiger, mountain screamer, puma, Florida panther, painter, catamount, slver lion, devil cat, Indian devil, sneak cat, king cat, mountain devil, red tiger, deercat, fire cat, plain lion , grey lion, caracajou, klandagi, catawampus, quinquajou, long tail, and swamp lion (I may have missed a couple). A "common" name is ANY nonscientific name used for an organism in a region/amongst a large group of people that is treated as an acceptable name/identifier. It is because of the potential for confusion and inaccuracy that it is better to utilize the correct (ie. scientific name) for organisms -- whether plant or animal.

Personally, I don't believe in letting a pet out unattended. This would solve the OPs problem without resorting to shooting something. The wild animals were here long before we were. Complaining about wild animals that might harm you unsupervised pet is as idiotic as the morons who level a wild area, build a subdivision, and then bitch that a cougar (Puma concolor) or coyote (Canis latrans) has run off with the family pet, Fluffy. Letting a pet out unsupervised is as irresponsible as doing the same with a toddler. In addition, besides threats from wild animals, unsupervised pets may get stolen, hit by a car, or shot for trespassing on someone else's property. (And yes this last DOES happen.)