The Virginia opossum, known scientifically as Didelphis virginiana, is the only marsupial native to the U.S., including North Carolina, Massachusetts, and Connecticut. Its catchment also stretches from southern Ontario and British Columbia, Canada, to northwestern Costa Rica. While often seen as a nuisance, opossums play a valuable role in natural ecosystems by helping control pests that could otherwise damage gardens and lawns. However, just because they contribute to pest control doesn’t mean they should be tearing up your yard in the process.
Opossums in Florida
There are at least 103 species of opossum, but the Virginia opossum is alone in the United States. Although some homeowners welcome them because they eat other pests like cockroaches, ticks, snails, slugs, snakes, and rodents, others see them as a nuisance, especially when they get into garbage cans, eat pet food, or sneak into crawl spaces.
What Do Opossums Look Like?
The Virginia opossum is about the size of a large cat, with coarse grayish fur, a white face, and dark eyes. It has a hairless, prehensile tail (a tail that can grip things), which helps it balance and climb. Its feet are equipped with opposable thumbs, which is why it is so agile in trees and on fences. A key trait virginia opossums share with other mammals, is its pouched body structure, similar to that of a kangaroo or koala. This feature places it in the scientific group Didelphimorphia and the family Didelphidae.
Signs of an Opossum Infestation
Common signs include overturned garbage cans, missing pet food, and the presence of tracks or droppings. You might also hear them rustling around at night since they’re nocturnal animals. Their strong odor, produced in part by their anal glands, can also be a giveaway, especially if they get into attics or wall voids. You could be dealing with an opossum if you notice strange scratching sounds or glimpse a hairless tail.
Habitat, Diet, Life Cycle & Behaviors
Despite being often found in suburban and rural neighborhoods, opossums are highly adaptable. Although solitary, they also exhibit complex social behaviors. Their varied habits, food choices, and lifestyle allow them to survive where many other mammals might struggle.
Where Do Opossums Live?
Opossums are nomadic, seldom staying in one place for long. They don’t build their own dens but instead take over abandoned burrows or nests made by other wild animals. They may also find their way into human structures, like crawl spaces, attics, and sheds, especially if food or shelter is available. They’re also found in wooded areas, rivers, and urban parks. You might notice a foul smell if one has died or is living in your wall.
Diet
Opossums are omnivores, feeding on both plant and animal matter. Their diet includes fruits, grains, insects, carrion, small rodents, and even venomous snakes, like cottonmouths and rattlesnakes. This makes them important for controlling pest populations. They’ll also eat roadkill, leftover pet food, and scraps from compost or garbage cans. This scavenging behavior often brings them into close proximity with people.
Life Cycle
Female opossums give birth to tiny, underdeveloped young, called baby opossums or young opossums, after just 13 days of pregnancy. These newborns crawl into the mother’s pouch, where they’ll continue to develop. A female can give birth to up to 20, but only those that can fit inside her pouch will survive. After about two months, the babies climb onto the mother’s back and stay with her for several more weeks before going off on their own.
Behaviors
The Virginia opossum has a wide range of behaviors that help it survive. They don’t dig or build, so they move often and find ready-made homes. When threatened, opossums may bare their teeth, hiss, or most famously enter a catatonic state, playing dead to confuse predators. Their anal glands release a strong odor to sell the act. Though they may look threatening with their 50 sharp teeth, they’re not aggressive and rarely bite. However, biting can occur if someone tries to handle an opossum, and their bite can be painful. If bitten, wash the area thoroughly to help prevent infection and seek medical advice. This is why trapping and removal are best left to professionals. Especially as opossums are most active at night and tend to avoid contact with humans and pets.
Are Opossums Dangerous?
Opossums pose no major threat to humans or pets. They are usually docile and prefer to avoid confrontation. Their teeth are not meant for attacking or even preying on animals, but are great for chewing and holding. They do not attack humans and instead will play ‘dead’ when danger is perceived. Opossums don’t dig holes, destroy gardens, bite, sting, or stay in one place for very long. One of the best ways to safely remove and relocate animals is using humane traps. At Florida Pest, we have the expertise and obtain the necessary permits for trapping, and animal release in the wild, away from residential areas.
How to Get Rid of Opossums
DIY traps and deterrents might provide short-term relief, but opossums are clever and often come back. The most effective solution to remove opossums is to contact a wildlife control professional. A trained technician can identify entry points, safely and humanely remove the mammal, and advise you on how to block future access. Trying to catch or remove an opossum on your own may be illegal in some areas and could be a health risk due to them carrying bacteria.
Opossum Prevention Tips
There are some practical steps you can take to help reduce the chance of an opossum making itself at home on your property:
- Seal up crawl spaces, attics, and sheds to block entry
- Store pet food indoors and keep garbage cans tightly sealed
- Remove outdoor food sources like fallen fruit or compost
- Trim branches and shrubs near your roofline to limit access
- Close gaps in fencing and under decks
- Clean up debris where opossums might hide.
Need Help with Nuisance Wildlife? We Can Help!
Got an opossum problem? Florida Pest Control can help. Our technicians live in the surrounding area and know how local wildlife behaves. We’ll inspect your property, remove the animal properly, and implement measures to prevent another infestation. For lasting protection, get in touch today.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Opossums Carry Rabies?
It’s rare. Opossums have a lower body temperature than many other mammals, which makes it harder for the rabies virus to survive. Most confirmed cases in opossums are extremely uncommon, but caution is still advised around any wild animals.
Do Opossums Eat Ticks?
They are known to eat thousands of ticks over their lifetime. This helps lower the risk of tick-borne illnesses like Lyme disease, though they’re not a substitute for professional pest control.
Their grooming habits make them natural tick eaters, but relying on opossums alone won’t fully control a tick problem.
Are Opossums Marsupials?
The Virginia opossum is the only marsupial in North America. Like other marsupials such as the kangaroo or koala, they carry their young in a pouch. This makes them different from most other mammals in your yard.
Are Opossums Blind?
Opposums are not blind, but their vision is poor in daylight. They rely more on their sense of smell and hearing, especially since they are nocturnal. Their eyes are adapted for low light, which helps them move around at night.
Do Opossums Hibernate?
No, they don’t. Opposums stay active year-round, though they may be less active in colder months. They may shelter for longer periods during cold snaps, but unlike some animals, they won’t go into full hibernation.
Are Opossums Nocturnal?
Yes, they are. Opossums do most of their scavenging and exploring at night. This is one reason you might hear them in your attic after dark. They prefer nighttime because it helps them avoid predators and stay cool in warmer weather.
