Opossums are the only marsupials (female has a pouch) to live in North America. Opossums are nocturnal and recognized by their whitish or greyish fur, pointy noses, razor sharp canines, and their rat like tails which are used to assist with climbing. Opossums are about the size of a common house cat, ranging in size from 4 to 7 pounds, but have been found to weigh as much as 14 pounds. An opossum’s tracks look like little hands with widespread fingers, with their hind tracks looking like a distorted hand with an over-sized opposable thumb.
Opossums have very diverse habitats ranging from wooded areas to open fields, and are adaptable to anywhere that food, water, and shelter exist. An opossum’s home range is typically within 10 to 50 acres. Opossums are also known for inhabiting the burrows or dens of other animals. Opossums are occasionally found inhabiting attics, crawl spaces, and garages where they make a messy nest. When found in these areas they may also be cohabitating with other nuisance animals such as raccoons.
Opossums are omnivores and eat anything from common garden vegetables and fruits to snails, slugs, small birds, eggs, and rodents. When living near people, opossums are frequent visitors of the family pet’s food bowls, bird feeders, compost piles, and garbage cans.
Opossums are well equipped to escape enemies by readily entering burrows or climbing a tree. However, when threatened or attacked, an opossum may bare its 50 sharp teeth, growl, hiss, bite, screech, drool, and emit a smelly, greenish fluid to discourage predators. If these tactics fail them they can play dead, or “play possum.”
To have your opossum problem taken care of sooner rather than later, call us today! Put our experience to work for you!
Tri-State Wildlife Management – Protecting You, Your Property, and Your Investment
