Opossums

Typically about the size of a cat or small dog, opossums have narrow snouts, small eyes, and long, hairless, prehensile tails that act as a fifth limb for climbing trees. Their bodies are covered in grayish white fur, and they have more teeth than any other mammal in the United States. Their sharp claws, opposable thumbs on their hind feet, and prehensile tails make opossums agile climbers.

More information about what an opossum looks like.

Although opossums are native to forests and wetlands throughout North America, their omnivorous scavenging behavior allows them to fit in well among suburban environments. They prefer to nest in tree cavities or abandoned dens of other animals but sometimes take up residence in unoccupied attics, garages, sheds, or beneath porches. Opossums lead solitary lives, except when rearing joeys, and are almost exclusively nocturnal.

Mother opossums give birth to litters of tiny, undeveloped babies the size of honeybees, known as joeys, which crawl inside the mother's pouch and continue to grow. Once the joeys become too large for the pouch, they ride upon the mother's back while she scavenges for food.

Opossums may become nuisances if they move into sheds, attics, or garages in residential yards. The marsupials construct nests of twigs, cloth scraps, grass, and other materials in dark, secluded places where they sleep during the daytime. At night, opossums venture into yards in search of easy meals in garbage cans and gardens. Opossums that are acclimated to living near people may enter houses at night through unsecured dog or cat doors.

• Opossum Tracks
• Opossum Noises
• Opossum Droppings

Even though opossums have an unappealing, rat-like appearance, they do not attack humans. The marsupials prefer to play dead when confronted so as to throw predators off guard and escape. Opossums are a danger to humans and domesticated pets insofar as they can carry diseases such as tuberculosis, tularemia, spotted fever, toxoplasmosis, and Chagas disease, as well as fleas, ticks, mites, and lice.

The greatest opossum damage occurs in gardens, where the marsupials help themselves to fruits and vegetables. They will also eat unsecured pet food left outside overnight and rummage through garbage cans or compost heaps to find bits and scraps to eat. Opossums have also been known to enter chicken coops and destroy birds, nests, and eggs.

To reduce the likelihood of opossums making their homes in residential yards, entrances to attics and garages should be sealed up, including the areas around garage doors and windows, attic vents, and gaps in walls or siding. Trimming overhanging tree branches and overgrown shrubbery also helps keep opossums from reaching roofs or attics.

Though they are not prone to aggression, opossums are still wild animals. As such, any attempts at removal should be done by a trained professional. Critter Control specialists are educated in opossum behavior and can effectively eradicate infestations. Untrained individuals simply do not have the knowledge, resources, and certifications to safely and properly handle the marsupials as professionals do.