It is funny, Paul, who grew up with cats, can hiss so that a cat immediately understands it is unwelcome and better run! I, however, hiss and the cat comes closer, assuming I want to pet it. Sigh. Cats know instinctively I love them, and I do knot speak cat well enough to convince them otherwise.

Possums are not nasty, but are marsupials - our only North American Marsupial, and are nocturnal and shy. The "naked" tails make people think they are mean and ugly, but unless cornered, they want nothing to do with humans, and would much rather run away!