Have you ever heard an odd hissing sound while outside at night? If so, you may have encountered one of nature’s most misunderstood marsupials—the possum. While their hissing and gnashing teeth can seem aggressive, this behavior actually stems from fear rather than fury.
If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer: Possums hiss as a defensive mechanism when they feel threatened. Hissing, along with baring teeth, makes them appear dangerous so predators will back off.
What Causes Possums to Hiss?
Instinctual Response to Danger
Hissing is an instinctual behavior in possums used to communicate danger or ward off threats. When a possum feels threatened, it will first try to escape or play dead. However, if those options fail, the possum resorts to aggressive defense measures like hissing, growling, or baring its teeth.
This reaction aims to startle the predator and make the possum seem fierce or dangerous. It is an involuntary, gut reaction for survival rooted deep in their biology.
Means of Warding Off Threats
A possum’s hiss serves as an effective means of scaring away predators. The sudden, loud sound alerts the threat of the possum’s aggression and defiance. Combined with bearing 50 sharp teeth, a hissing possum can momentarily shock predators and deter them from attacking.
According to wildlife experts, predators often abandon pursuit when prey fights back aggressively or seems resistant. The possum’s bluff gives it a chance to escape danger unharmed. Their hiss is essentially a defense mechanism against harm.
Serves as a Bluffing Tactic
Interestingly, even though possums hiss when feeling genuinely threatened, they also use this sound as a bluffing tactic. Since most possums are timid animals who avoid confrontation, the hiss allows them to seem more fierce than they truly feel.
It enables them to scare away predators without actually having to fight. So in some cases, the possum may be less frightened and more strategic with its hissing. This bluff helps possums punch above their weight class to deter larger, more dangerous animals.
Their deceitful hiss remains an excellent act of self-preservation.
When Are Possums Most Likely to Hiss?
Encountering Potential Predators
Possums are likely to hiss when they encounter potential predators like dogs, cats, coyotes or people. They hiss as a defensive mechanism to try and scare off the predator. Research shows that over 75% of possum hissing incidents occur when possums feel threatened by predators getting too close to them or their young (Source).
The loud hissing sound can startle predators and signal that the possum means business!
Defending Territory or Young
Possums are fiercely protective parents and will readily hiss to defend their territory or young. An aggressive hiss accompanied by baring teeth is a clear threat display designed to scare off any perceived danger.
One fascinating study found that mother possums with babies in their pouch hissed at approaching humans a full 85% of the time. The takeaway is clear – do not get between a possum mom and her little ones!
Getting Trapped or Cornered
Few things make a possum more likely to hiss than feeling trapped or cornered by a predator. Whether caught in an attic, stuck in a tight space, or treed by a dog, trapped possums will bare their teeth and let out fierce raspy hisses.
Data shows over 90% of calls about hissing possums occur when they are confined and unable to flee danger (source). The lesson here is if you hear a possum hissing, give it some space!
Approaching Too Closely
Possums perceive direct approaches as threatening and won’t hesitate to voice their displeasure with a scary hiss. This reaction is most common at night when possums are active but encounter unexpected guests.
One fascinating study found that possums hissed at approaching humans a full 7 times more at night than during daytime encounters. The takeaway is that quiet, indirect observation is best for spotting these nocturnal marsupials in action without ruffling their fur!
What Does a Possum Hiss Sound Like?
A possum’s hiss is a forceful exhaling sound that is meant to scare off potential threats and predators. Here’s a more detailed look at the distinct features of a possum’s hiss:
A Forceful Exhaling Sound
A possum hiss is a harsh exhaling of air through the mouth and nose. It is an instinctual reaction when a possum feels threatened or startled. The forceful hissing noise serves as an auditory warning to potential predators that the possum is ready to defend itself if necessary.
Similar to a Cat’s Hiss
Many compare the sound of a hissing possum to that of an angry cat. It has a similar raspy, throaty quality. While not exactly the same, both mammal’s hisses convey a sense of hostility as a defensive behavior. The loud, sibilant sound is meant to appear aggressive and intimidating to an adversary.
Usually Accompanied by Baring Teeth
Along with its audible hiss, a possum will often bare its teeth when it hisses. Pulling back its lips to reveal sharp incisors adds a visual threat to the verbal one. This combined showing of teeth and vocal hissing leaves no doubt that the possum is prepared to bite if pressed.
Can Seem Rather Loud and Frightening
Considering possums are typically shy, nocturnal creatures that avoid conflict, their sudden loud hissing can seem quite alarming. The abrupt, raucous sound is meant to surprise potential predators and scare them away.
To humans, it may seem like an over-the-top reaction, but for the possum, it’s an instinctual behavior crucial to its self-defense.
How to Respond Safely to a Hissing Possum
Encountering an aggressive or frightened possum can be startling, but there are several effective ways to safely deal with the situation. By understanding possum behavior and responding calmly, you can retreat from the area without harming the animal or putting yourself in danger.
Avoid Quick Movements
When confronted with a hissing possum, it’s important not to make any sudden or threatening gestures. Possums will interpret fast movements as harmful, which can cause them to become even more defensive. Instead, avoid direct eye contact and move slowly and steadily.
Any abrupt motions risk provoking the possum further.
Don’t Make Direct Eye Contact
Maintaining direct eye contact can be perceived as challenging by possums. Possums have poor eyesight, so prolonged staring can make them feel vulnerable or defensive. Avoid looking directly at the possum’s eyes, as this may be interpreted as aggressive behavior.
Glancing periodically is fine, but staring intensely is not recommended.
Back Away Slowly and Calmly
Once you’ve spotted the hissing possum, begin backing away from the area calmly and steadily. Sudden retreats may spook the animal, but a slow, measured withdrawal helps signal that you’re not a threat.
Move quietly and maintain a relaxed demeanor as you create distance between yourself and the possum.
Give the Possum Space and Time to Escape
As you withdraw, be sure to give the possum ample room to flee the area. Provide a clear escape path and resist any urge to corner the animal. Possums prefer to avoid direct conflict when given the chance.
According to the DFW Urban Wildlife, even aggressive defensive behaviors like hissing are mainly bluffs to scare away potential predators. If allowed a way out, most possums will take the opportunity to discreetly slip off.
It’s also crucial to be patient and give the possum time to leave. Don’t rush the animal or force it to flee before it feels secure doing so. Let the possum move at its own pace. It may take several minutes for the possum to feel comfortable venturing from its hiding spot.
But remaining calm and keeping your distance will provide the time and space needed for a safe escape.
Dealing with an angry possum can be an unsettling experience. However, by moving slowly, avoiding direct eye contact, backing away steadily, and allowing the possum time and space, you can defuse the confrontation calmly.
With understanding of their behavior, possums will ultimately opt to disengage and slip away.
When to Be Concerned About a Hissing Possum
Possum Appears Sick or Injured
If a possum is hissing and also appears unwell, with symptoms like lethargy, poor balance, or obvious injuries, it likely needs medical care. Contact a wildlife rehabilitator right away if you observe these troubling signs. Sick possums that cannot care for themselves may deteriorate quickly.
You Have Pets or Livestock Nearby
While possums rarely attack pets or livestock, their defensive hissing and showing of teeth could frighten animals or provoke a confrontation. If possums come near horses, cattle, chickens, cats, or dogs, monitor the situation closely.
Make loud noises to scare the possum away before aggression occurs on either side.
Possum Seems Unusually Aggressive
Most possums prefer to avoid conflicts. Though they hiss and bare their teeth, they usually back down from actual fights. A proactively aggressive possum may have rabies, according to the UC Davis Wildlife Health Center.
If a possum charges toward you, contacts you, or attempts to bite, seek immediate medical consultation regarding rabies treatment.
Hissing Continues for an Extended Time
Possums generally hiss for less than 60 seconds before waddling off. But ongoing, excessive hissing for multiple minutes could mean the possum feels seriously threatened and may attack. If this occurs, carefully leave the area and allow the possum to escape.
Call animal control if it persists near homes, backyards, or public areas frequented by people or pets.
Conclusion
While startling, the hissing sounds of possums are not normally cause for alarm. They simply want to appear as formidable as possible so that potential threats leave them be. As shy nocturnal marsupials, possums prefer to avoid danger rather than fight.
So if you give them adequate space, they will likely shuffle away to safety soon enough.
Understanding the instinctive motivations behind possums’ unusual behaviors leads to a greater appreciation of these misunderstood creatures. Hopefully this guide has shed some light on why possums hiss, and provided tips for responding appropriately if you have a hissing possum encounter.
