Picture an opossum. Are you picturing a gray creature that resembles a large rat? Perhaps you’ve seen one near a knocked-over trashcan or waddling in the shadows.
Opossums often get a bad rap. Many people think they’re dirty, disease-ridden, or even dangerous. But the truth? These quiet, gentle creatures are one of nature’s most underrated allies. They help keep ecosystems clean, control pests, and rarely pose any threat to humans.
Today, we’re diving into the secret life of opossums—what they eat, where they live, how they survive, and why you should be happy to have them in your yard.
What is a Possum?
Ancient Survivors
Opossums have been around for over 70 million years—meaning they once walked the Earth alongside dinosaurs. But first, let’s clear up a common mix-up.
In North America, we have opossums, specifically the Virginia opossum (Didelphis virginiana). “Possum,” however, refers to an entirely different group of marsupials found in Australia. Despite this distinction, most people casually drop the "o," so we’ll roll with it.
Unique Features
Opossums have grayish fur, pointy snouts, and round ears.
They have 50 teeth—more than any other North American land mammal!
As the continent’s only native marsupial, opossum mothers carry their young in pouches, just like kangaroos.
They have semi-prehensile tails, which help them balance, grip tree branches, and even carry nesting materials. Contrary to popular belief, adult opossums don’t hang from their tails.
Their paws look like tiny human hands, which makes them excellent climbers.
Where Do Opossums Live?
Opossums are incredibly adaptable. They can be found in a variety of habitats, including:
Forests and woodlands – where they climb trees for safety and food.
Suburbs and cities – where they scavenge garbage and pet food left outside.
Farmland – where they eat grain, insects, and small rodents.
Unlike many animals, opossums don’t have fixed territories. Instead, they wander constantly in search of food and shelter. They don’t dig their own burrows but will repurpose abandoned dens, hollow logs, brush piles, or even spaces under porches and sheds.
What Do Opossums Eat?
Opossums are opportunistic omnivores, meaning they eat just about anything. Their diet includes:
✅ Fruits and vegetables
✅ Insects (beetles, ants, grasshoppers)
✅ Small rodents and birds (if already dead or injured)
✅ Frogs, crayfish, and snails
✅ Carrion (dead animals, including roadkill)
✅ Snakes (they’re immune to most snake venom!)
✅ Ticks—one opossum can eat up to 5,000 ticks per season!
By cleaning up carrion and eating disease-carrying pests, opossums act as nature’s clean-up crew and help maintain a healthy ecosystem.
How Do Opossums Defend Themselves?
Opossums have many predators, including coyotes, owls, bobcats, and domestic dogs. When threatened, they have a few defense tactics:
Running Away – They prefer to flee and climb to safety.
Hissing and Drooling – They might try to look scary, but they’re all bluff.
Playing Dead – This is their most famous trick!
When opossums "play possum," their bodies go completely limp, their tongues hang out, and they even emit a foul-smelling odor to mimic a rotting carcass. This involuntary reaction confuses predators, who often lose interest.
Are Opossums a Problem in Your Yard?
Many people panic when they see an opossum in their yard. But should you be concerned? Nope!
✔️ They don’t dig up gardens like some other critters.
✔️ They rarely get into attics unless an entry point is left open.
✔️ They almost never carry rabies because their body temperature is too low for the virus to survive.
✔️ They help keep rodent populations in check by eating mice and other small pests.
If one moves into an unwanted space, the best way to encourage it to leave is to remove food sources and seal entry points once it’s gone.
Why Opossums Deserve More Love
Though they may look a little strange, opossums are shy, harmless, and incredibly beneficial to the environment. They clean up dead animals, eat disease-carrying pests, and help maintain balance in nature.
Next time you spot an opossum in your yard, instead of chasing it away, give it a nod of appreciation. After all, they’re just out here doing their job.
Sources & References
The National Wildlife Federation - Opossum Facts
The Tick Project - Opossums & Tick Control
Florida Wildlife Conservation - Opossum News Stories
Smithsonian Magazine - Historical Facts About Opossums
Opossums - Scavengers: Eating Nature’s Trash by Emma Carlson Berne
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Have you spotted an opossum in your yard? Share your experience in the comments!
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