Opossums: Coexisting with Wildlife
Virginia opossums are the only marsupial found in North America and Project Wildlife admits about 1,000 of them each year. They do not carry rabies but do foam at the mouth as a natural defense. They are not aggressive towards humans or pets.
What to do if you find an injured, ill or orphaned opossum
Injured or sick opossum: We recommend bringing this animal into Project Wildlife as soon as possible. If we find no treatment is required, we may ask that you return this animal to where you found it.
Orphaned baby
Babies are most successful when raised by their wild parents, and we always assume the parents are alive and caring for their babies — unless proven otherwise. Never take an animal from the wild because you think they will be safer or more successful in captivity!
If you can confirm that the animal has been orphaned because they are alone during daylight hours and are less than 8” long (excluding their tail) or you have found the mom deceased, then we recommend immediately bringing this animal to Project Wildlife for evaluation and potential rehabilitation. If we find no treatment is required and it is determined the animal is old enough to thrive on its own, we may ask you to return the animal to where you found it.
Opossum Found Along the Road
Spring is the time of year when opossums are having their babies (or joeys) and moving around while looking for food. Opossums are marsupials (like kangaroos) so they have a pouch the babies will go to immediately from birth. They will remain there until they are old enough to leave the pouch. They will cling to the mom for as long as they can, even if the mom has been killed.
- If you are willing and able to do so safely, check to see if the opossum is a female and has a pouch. Check the pouch for any surviving babies.
- Babies old enough to be out of the pouch but still with mom may remain nearby, so check the immediate area for any orphaned babies.
- Opossum rarely bite but they may foam at the mouth, hiss or “play dead” to defend themselves.
- DO NOT FEED them anything and get them to Project Wildlife as soon as possible.
When does an opossum need to come to Project Wildlife for care?
- Babies found on their own that are less than 8” long excluding their tail.
- If they were attacked by a dog or cat.
- If the animal is sick. Remember that foaming at the mouth is a natural defense and does not indicate they are ill.
- If the animal is bleeding.
Coexisting With Opossums
Opossums are often mistaken for rats, but they are not rodents at all — they are marsupials like kangaroos and koalas! They are not aggressive toward humans or pets, but they will attempt to defend themselves if cornered. They are also relatively disease-free, and it is very rare for them to carry rabies, parvovirus or distemper. This is due to them having a lower core body temperature than most other mammals. As omnivores, they are an excellent animal to have around your property because they eat ticks, rats, mice, snails, slugs and other insects, as well as rotten fruit and vegetables. They have even been known to eat rattlesnakes!
Opossums are nocturnal, which means they're much more active at night and typically spend most of the day in their dens. However, it is not uncommon to see them wandering around during the day in search of food, shelter or potential mates, depending on the time of year. They are excellent climbers and use their hands, feet and tail to grasp.
How to Deter Opossums From Your Yard
Please remember opossums are an excellent mammal to have around because they eat ticks, rats, mice, snails, slugs and other insects as well as fallen fruit. However, if you find yourself in a situation where you need to deter them, here are a few tips.
- Eliminate all sources of food and water, especially pet food, access to garbage cans, fruit on the ground, grubs in the lawn and excess food falling from the bird feeder.
- Block holes in fences and trim branches to block access to homes.
