Opossum Facts and Garden Benefits

The Americas are home to many species of opossums. The Virginia opossum is the only opossum species native to the United States and Canada.

They are good to have around because they help keep your yard and garden clean and may reduce some common pests.

Opossums are the most diverse group of marsupials in the Western Hemisphere, with more than 100 species [1]. They generally avoid barren areas and prefer places with shelter, water, and vegetation.

Although they are slow-moving animals, when threatened, opossums may hiss, show their teeth, release a bad smell, climb away, or play dead.

These creatures have gray fur, pointed faces, hairless prehensile tails, and small dark eyes. They are marsupials, meaning their babies are born very small and continue to grow in their mothers’ pouches [2].

In this article, we will mostly discuss the facts and benefits of the Virginia opossum. These opossums range from southern Canada through most of the United States and into Mexico and Central America.

Lifespan

Wild Virginia opossums usually live about 2 to 4 years [3]. Some may live longer in safer areas.

They mate twice a year. The male is generally called a jack, and the female is called a jill. As marsupials, their young are called joeys.

The female carries her babies for only about two weeks before giving birth to a litter of up to two dozen babies. The little ones have to find their way into their mother’s pouch.

A female usually has only 13 teats, so babies that do not reach a teat often do not survive.

The joeys stay in the pouch for 2 months and stay with mom until they’re 5 months old. Now, they’re fully capable of fending for themselves.

Opossum vs. Possum

The words “opossum” and “possum” are related but usually refer to different animals.

The word opossum has been traced back to 1610, and the word possum to 1613. Regional dialects determine whether the “o” is pronounced and added to the word “possum” or not.

People in the southern portions of the United States tend to drop the “o,” while people in northern areas usually pronounce the “o.”

In addition, opossum refers to all species of opossum living in the Americas. However, possums are a group of Australian marsupials that resemble American opossums.

European settlers thought Australian marsupials resembled American opossums, so they gave them similar names.

Benefits of Opossums

Opossums are part of nature’s cleanup crew.

They prefer food that’s on the ground and easy to get. They help clean up the environment by eating carrion, fallen fruit, and other food that many animals avoid.

Opossums may also eat snails, slugs, beetles, rodents, and other garden pests. They sometimes prey on small snakes as well.

They may also help reduce tick numbers by grooming themselves and eating some of the ticks they remove from their fur.

Their habit of eating things that many other animals avoid makes them helpful in gardens.

Unlike deer and small rodents, they are less destructive to gardens than many other animals, although they may occasionally eat ripe fruits or vegetables. They are more likely to scavenge fallen or overripe produce than to damage healthy growing crops.

What Do Opossums Eat?

The opossum’s diet may include the following:

• Pests, including disease-carrying ticks. Opossums eat some ticks while grooming themselves [4].
• Opossums sometimes prey on snakes, including venomous species. They also have partial resistance to certain snake venoms.
• Overripe fruit. If it’s on the ground, it’s fair game.
• Spoiled vegetables. The softer and more rotten they are, the more they like them.
• Carrion, including roadkill. They often chew bones and other calcium-rich materials.
• Outdoor pet food. They will eat both dog and cat food, whether wet or dry.
• Like raccoons, they may get into garbage cans if food is easy to reach.
• They may feed from ground-level bird feeders.
• Small rodents, including mice and rats.
• They also eat earthworms and other soft-bodied invertebrates.
• Slugs and snails. Another opossum habit that benefits gardeners.
• Small amphibians, like frogs.
• Bird eggs and young birds. Opossums may raid ground nests for eggs or young birds.
• Do opossums eat chickens? Sometimes. They may eat eggs or young chicks if they get the chance, especially if a coop is not secure.

In extreme circumstances, they may also eat each other. Cannibalism is rare but may occur during extreme food shortages or stressful conditions.

Where Do They Sleep?

Opossums are mostly solitary animals that wander in search of food and shelter.

They use abandoned burrows and other hidden places to rest during the day. These include hollow logs, tree cavities, and spaces beneath porches, sheds, and garages.

Opossum Predators

• Snakes may eat baby opossums.
• Dogs may injure or even kill opossums, but not necessarily eat them.
• Foxes prey on many small animals, including opossums.
• Some people living in the southern U.S. states sometimes hunt them for food [5].
• Birds of prey, including eagles, hawks, and owls, may prey on young opossums.
• Coyotes also prey on slow-moving opossums.
• Larger wild cats, such as bobcats, may prey on opossums.

Other Frequently Asked Questions

Are Opossums Dangerous?

Opossums are usually shy and prefer to avoid people. They rarely attack unless they feel trapped.

Do They Carry Diseases?

Like many wild animals, opossums can carry diseases and parasites. However, they are less likely than many other wild mammals to carry rabies.

Why Do Opossums Play Dead?

When an opossum feels it cannot escape, it may fall over and appear dead. This is an automatic reaction that can help protect it from predators.

Can opossums hang by their tails?

Young opossums can hang from their tails for a short time, but adults are too heavy to hang upside down for long. Instead, they use their tails to help them climb and carry nesting materials.

Takeaway

Opossums are often misunderstood animals. They help nature by cleaning up dead animals and fallen fruit, eating some pests, and supporting a healthy ecosystem.