Opossums

Opossums are unique animals and are found across a wide variety of habitats. They also happen to be quite common on this campus. They prefer deciduous woodlands, but have adapted very well to the urban environment. Opossums are found across most of North America and into eastern Canada, except where winters are severe. Due to their unique appearance they are often mistaken for giant rats, because they have naked tails and ears. Opossums are about the size of a house cat. Their coats can range in color from white to almost black, but they are usually grayish-white. The males are usually larger than the females and weigh about 12 to 13 pounds. These omnivorous marsupials eat a wide variety of plant and animal material. Invertebrates, such as beetles, snails, and earthworms, as well as a wide variety of plant foods such as berries and grain make up the bulk of their diet. However, they are not above scavenging around the garbage cans and dumpster areas for human food waste.

Opossums are preyed on by just about every carnivore. Among their chief predators are foxes, owls and coyotes, but many are killed by automobiles. They are very slow runners. In some parts of the country, they are even killed for their meat and fur. These are placid animals and when confronted or threatened will usually try to escape up the nearest tree. With their prehensile tails and opposable "thumbs" on their hind feet, opossums are capable tree climbers. When cornered, an opossum will gape, hiss, and display its very sharp teeth (all 50 of them). When an opossum is under a great deal of stress, it will sometimes fall into an involuntarily catatonic shock-like state, termed as "playing possum." It is important to remember this fact when attempting to pick up a "dead" opossum!

One unique feature is distinguished by their form of reproduction. Opossums belong to the marsupial (animals with pouches; e.g., kangaroos) family. The young are born in almost an embryonic form and must find their way to the mother's pouch where they attach themselves to a nipple for the rest of their gestation period (about 50 days). Litters average about 8 but can be as large as 13. At about three months of age, when the young are fully weaned, the young will become independent of the mother.

Living With Opossums

Opossums are scavengers and usually do more good than harm. We advise tolerance. However, opossums will sometimes den in an attic or under a building where they are unwanted. If this happens:

• Exclusion is recommended. Use hardware mesh or screening to block any points of entry. Before you barricade any entry points, you must make certain that the animal has left its den. A one-way door may work well for this. Contact the Animal Control Officer for suggestions.
• Remove any food attractants. If you feed your pets outside, pick up their dishes at night. Securely fasten garbage can lids and be sure to bag food scraps in plastic.