Why Do Baby Possums Hiss

When separated or distressed, baby opossums will make a sneezing noise to signal their mother. If threatened, the baby will open its mouth and quietly hiss until the threat is gone. Hissing or squawking is a defensive process that helps the opossum deter other animals from approaching it.

What does it mean when a possum hisses at you?

Opossum are not aggressive: their open-mouth, defensive hissing is merely a bluff to look vicious. And if that doesn’t work they play dead when really scared! If there is an opossum in the backyard, don’t worry. They aren’t a threat, and more than likely they will be moving on in a short while.

Are baby possums friendly?

If you’ve found young abandoned opossum, you may be wondering, “Can opossums be pets?” Opossums are typically non-aggressive and can even be docile.