lmrich Posted August 2, 2011 Share Posted August 2, 2011 In this heat - gross!!!!!! Maybe if it were half frozen, but no really it is gross. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrsrevmeg Posted August 2, 2011 Share Posted August 2, 2011 I voted other. I would ask which of the kids wanted to make some extra money by doing "disposal duty" . :ack2: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
helena Posted August 2, 2011 Share Posted August 2, 2011 Both! I'd say "eewww gross, let's go check it out!!" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rosie_0801 Posted August 2, 2011 Share Posted August 2, 2011 Honestly, it would be, "What the _____?!" Course, opossums aren't exactly normal around here, let alone half eaten ones. :lol: Something like this, then "EW!! DH TAKE IT AWAY," followed by a serious curiosity about how it got through customs. I suppose the next thing to do would be ringing Quarantine, except I probably wouldn't know to do it, seeing how I've never met an opossum, so wouldn't know it was one. Rosie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jabberwocky Posted August 2, 2011 Share Posted August 2, 2011 Exactly! Perhaps we've been reading far too much Agatha Christie around here, but I think I'd be like "who has the strongest motive to kill this poor wretch?" Heh. If it is a fresh kill, we would be investigating for animal tracks, teeth and claw marks, etc. and doing our own home-grown CSI to determine the nature of the crime and it's perpetrator. If it is a rank find, next thought is, "Which one of my boys should I order to bury it?" The follow up thought then being, "Which one of those boys complained about schoolwork the most yesterday? HMMMMMM" Faith Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PIE! Posted August 2, 2011 Share Posted August 2, 2011 I voted "other." My first reaction would be admiration for my cat's abilities. Then I'd leave it for DH to either dispose of or show the kids (depending on its condition). He's in charge of the science curriculum :). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nrg Posted August 2, 2011 Share Posted August 2, 2011 Check out the tracks to see what ate it. Cover it with a bucket and let the ants chow down. Wait a while and take off the bucket to see the skeleton. If it's in good condition, boil the bones and reconstruct. Big Fun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lewelma Posted August 2, 2011 Share Posted August 2, 2011 I had a professor who taught a taxidermy class. If you could not find any suitable road kill, he would provide mice that had accidentally been killed in the live traps (we kept them in the non-food freezer in lunch room). More than half of all students always found a suitable road kill. We had squirrels, ferrets, and even a fox once. And the students had a lovely stuffed animal for their dorm rooms at the end of the term. Ruth in NZ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tree House Academy Posted August 2, 2011 Share Posted August 2, 2011 I immediately think "HUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUBBY...." cause he is the one who is gonna come take care of it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joannqn Posted August 2, 2011 Share Posted August 2, 2011 First thought: Ewwwwwww! Second thought: I wonder if we can strip the bones and put it back together. My dog found a half eaten opossum carcass on a leash free walk last winter and rubbed himself in it. First thought was "Ewwwwwww! Second thought was "You're gross Zach! You stink! Go outside! Yuck!" Third thought, a couple of days later, was "I wonder if the carcass is still there and if we can strip the bones and build the skeleton." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Audrey Posted August 2, 2011 Share Posted August 2, 2011 HALF eaten, eh? I'd think the barn cats were getting too much kibble. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christy B Posted August 2, 2011 Share Posted August 2, 2011 I had to choose other. My first thought would be "where is my daddy, and how quickly will he deal with this . . . and if he's not available, where is my 16 year old daughter, and how much will I have to pay her to deal with it?" Yes, I am a spoiled only child, sandwiched between two generations of go-to people. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stacy in NJ Posted August 3, 2011 Share Posted August 3, 2011 carrying around the remainder of the carcass. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Critterfixer Posted August 3, 2011 Share Posted August 3, 2011 I'd think my dogs were doing their job. Of course, right now it's too hot to amble after an opossum, let alone kill and eat one... The coolest things about opossums that I know: 1) They are a wildlife rehab dream. They automatically hate people at five weeks of age. 2)They don't nurse on a bottle. You have to feed them with a syringe, because they lap milk. 3) They have the cutest little hiss when they are young! 4) They have cat teeth. That is, the roots on their teeth have a sort of bulb on the end, very like the teeth in a cat. 5)They do use their tails to hold on to things, but I've never seen them hang upside down with their tails. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zaichiki Posted August 3, 2011 Share Posted August 3, 2011 First thought: "Ewwwwww!" Second thought: make sure the toddler is not nearby Third thought: What could have eaten it and where might it be? (We have livestock.) Fourth thought: Kids, do you want to see this before your father buries it? Fifth thought: "Dear hubby!" (And I'd probably go through all of those thoughts in the first 30 seconds.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean in Newcastle Posted August 3, 2011 Share Posted August 3, 2011 For Rosie: http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.paleodirect.com/images/textimages/opossum2.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.paleodirect.com/pgset2/lmx012.htm&h=500&w=479&sz=40&tbnid=0x2wcKaMiCNMwM:&tbnh=90&tbnw=86&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dopossum%2Bimage%26tbm%3Disch%26tbo%3Du&zoom=1&q=opossum+image&docid=-ks3fFm5uSwsoM&hl=en&sa=X&ei=IpQ4TrizDKnliAKb2M3uDg&ved=0CCIQ9QEwAg&dur=619 and http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://mwwildlifecontrol.homestead.com/virginia_opossum.jpg&imgrefurl=http://mwwildlifecontrol.homestead.com/opossum.html&h=279&w=400&sz=27&tbnid=MY41spOd15xBPM:&tbnh=93&tbnw=133&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dopossum%2Bimage%26tbm%3Disch%26tbo%3Du&zoom=1&q=opossum+image&docid=sbOc5BXJfSxEsM&hl=en&sa=X&ei=IpQ4TrizDKnliAKb2M3uDg&ved=0CC8Q9QEwBg&dur=389 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Satori Posted August 3, 2011 Share Posted August 3, 2011 I'd first think, wow, that possom sure is doing a good job playing dead! Then I'd wonder if the bear or mountain lion was still lurking around. Then I'd just let him lie for a bear or mountain lion or fox to eat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zaichiki Posted August 3, 2011 Share Posted August 3, 2011 Then I would have to call the Department of Wildlife and check how often opossums carry rabies. Then I'd have to sit and wait for them to come and collect said carcass and have the rabies testing done....just to make sure. Not often. Something about their natural body temperature being too high. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zaichiki Posted August 3, 2011 Share Posted August 3, 2011 I said ewww My kids would be HOW COOL!! We already know who did it though. The same evil creature that has killed the coons, chipmunks, squirrells, other possum and of course mice. Evil our cat did it. He is almost 5 and no slowing down for him lol. Your cat kills racoons?! Whoa. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zaichiki Posted August 3, 2011 Share Posted August 3, 2011 My first thought would be "oh geez where's the dog?!" Because picking up half a possum would be bad enough, but wrestling it out my dog's mouth would be way worse. :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nakia Posted August 3, 2011 Share Posted August 3, 2011 First thought, "EEEEEWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW!!!!!!!!" Second thought would be, "No one goes outside until Patrick gets home to dispose of that vile thing!" I am such a girl. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catz Posted August 3, 2011 Share Posted August 3, 2011 First thought, "EEEEEWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW!!!!!!!!" Second thought would be, "No one goes outside until Patrick gets home to dispose of that vile thing!" I am such a girl. I am such a girl too! On the other hand, my kids get paid for disposing of dead creatures in the yard. That often involves poking it and inspecting it. I encourage self education, but I just cannot be involved in dead animals in our yard. Ewwww is right. We have 2 cats so it's not totally unusual. Our neighbor actually gave us a opossum skull he found last spring. We live in the city too but we still see raccoons, deer, someone just saw a coyote this week. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bairnmama Posted August 3, 2011 Share Posted August 3, 2011 Other. I'd wonder if the dogs needed breakfast.;) LOL! I'd assume the dog just had her breakfast and I could wait to feed her 'till supper! So far, I've only seen her eat crickets, beetles, frogs, and mice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maverick_Mom Posted August 3, 2011 Share Posted August 3, 2011 I voted "learning opportunity." Anything to add another skeleton to our nature shelf. :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sugarfoot Posted August 3, 2011 Share Posted August 3, 2011 My first thought is, "Who do I call to dispose of THAT?!" And if that person gets there pretty darn quick, he/she goes into my speed dial for life.;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LibraryLover Posted August 3, 2011 Share Posted August 3, 2011 (edited) :Dlol Other. "Oh my freaking word, take the whole dang thing! Why don't these fat woodland /nocturnal creatures take the whole of it, dammit! " If I lived my whole life in LA I might be more appreciative. But there are only so many half carcass bits you want to find on your lawn. Should I tell you about the time my city -boy dh shoved intestines etc back into a bantam pullet as the kids ooooo'd? lol Edited August 3, 2011 by LibraryLover Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Running the race Posted August 3, 2011 Share Posted August 3, 2011 Other: Where's the number for animal control? BTDT Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Granny_Weatherwax Posted August 3, 2011 Share Posted August 3, 2011 I wonder what ate the missing half?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elizabeth in MN Posted August 3, 2011 Share Posted August 3, 2011 We'd have a funeral. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twoxcell Posted August 3, 2011 Share Posted August 3, 2011 I would be wondering if the cougars were prowling the neighborhood again.;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MamaSheep Posted August 3, 2011 Share Posted August 3, 2011 I would be looking for my cat. Who would undoubtedly be the guilty party. :glare: Then I would have to call the Department of Wildlife and check how often opossums carry rabies. Then I'd have to sit and wait for them to come and collect said carcass and have the rabies testing done....just to make sure. This is me too. Largely because I know someone who wound up with $12,000 worth of rabies shots after he thought it would be cool to poke around a dead raccoon he found and scratched himself with a tooth or claw or something. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gardenmom5 Posted August 3, 2011 Share Posted August 3, 2011 (edited) My second thought would be: Why did the chicken cross the road? to show the opossum it could be done. I've personally run over two (and I live in the *city*) they are so stupid. Oh, gee, look at the pretty lights. and proceed to walk towad your car. ka-thunk, ka-thunk. though my husband found a dead bobcat when he was about 15. he curled it up like it was sleeping on his Bishop's car. - he got a phone call from him to come and get it. (he knew him well.) Edited August 3, 2011 by gardenmom5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gardenmom5 Posted August 3, 2011 Share Posted August 3, 2011 This. However I am learning the hard way about the burying part... a few days ago I noticed a h*llacious stench around the back of the house. I finally realized that after dissecting a dead bullforg (it had a crayfish inside of it!) he merely tossed the remains in a ditch behind the house. Anyone know how long it takes a bullfrog to decompose? :D I think the stench only lasts a couple weeks. we had a dead mouse in a box in the garage and we coudln't figure out where the stench was coming from. It was much later we found the corpse. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gardenmom5 Posted August 3, 2011 Share Posted August 3, 2011 I'd check on allrecipes.com for possum casserole. Don't let it go to waste. :lol: and do you have a copy of the roadkill cookbook? (yes, it's a real cookbook.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gardenmom5 Posted August 3, 2011 Share Posted August 3, 2011 Exactly my first thought - as this kind of thing happens regularly around here (except usually porcupines and deer - - and only when Dh is deployed... why is that?) It's Mrs. Murphey's law. anything that can go wrong will - when he's not home. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Melissa in Australia Posted August 3, 2011 Share Posted August 3, 2011 If we found an opossum we would be definitely turned into a learning opportunity as they don't exist in Australia. We have possums, but believe me that are completely different. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
myfatherslily Posted August 3, 2011 Share Posted August 3, 2011 I would assume my dog killed it and I would leave it there for him to dispose of the other half, which he would do. UNLESS the kids were playing outside then I'd shovel it off into a more remote area. No learning experiences here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maverick_Mom Posted August 3, 2011 Share Posted August 3, 2011 and do you have a copy of the roadkill cookbook? (yes, it's a real cookbook.) And don't forget the sauce! http://www.rbjb.com/rbjb/rk.htm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest randmpotter Posted September 5, 2011 Share Posted September 5, 2011 yes, my first thought is eeeww! But then, thinking of the marvelous learning opportunity, I'd tell the kids to get on their gardening gloves, as "we're going exploring" (before Dad gets home - he hates it when I do that!) Our art teacher gives extra credit to students who bring in road kill - no kidding! She taught herself taxidermy, so it wouldn't be a health issue (for the students, not the animal). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JudyJudyJudy Posted September 5, 2011 Share Posted September 5, 2011 Other. Dead opossums (or 'possums where I live) are so common here that we would think nothing of it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
asta Posted September 5, 2011 Share Posted September 5, 2011 My cat has upped her game. a Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kolamum Posted September 5, 2011 Share Posted September 5, 2011 My first thought/reaction would be that the tassie devil dragged it up from the road.. that was, if the garden gate was closed and our dog was still within it's boundaries. Cause otherwise I'd think.. "Who left the bloomin' gate open again!" My second reaction would be Eww. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Melinda S in TX Posted September 5, 2011 Share Posted September 5, 2011 Real life experience here. We currently have a baby opposum corpse drying on the garden stand. It is complete and was put there by the farm cat (She likes to leave us gifts occasionally to let us know she's earning her keep.). At first it was really gross, but now it's kind of neat. Of course, the boys thought it was neat when it was gross. The boys are waiting for it to be nothing but a skeleton. Blessings, Melinda Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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