What Does an Opossum Look Like?
Opossums are small grey mammals that are approximately 2 to 3 feet in length, including the tail, and weigh between 6 and 15 pounds. They have white fur tipped with gray or black guard hairs. Opossums have a long, narrow snout, pink nose, bare ears, and rat-like hairless tails. Their tails are prehensile and act like a fifth limb, which allows them to grasp tree limbs when they climb. The Virginia opossum is the only marsupial native to North America. A marsupial is an animal that has a pouch, like a kangaroo.
Behavior & Habits
Opossums are most active at night and are skilled climbers. They are generally shy and passive. When threatened, these animals will “play possum,” mimicking the appearance and smell of a sick or dead animal. This defensive mechanism is similar to fainting and is a completely involuntary and automatic physiological response to danger. It involves drawing back the lips, baring teeth, foaming saliva around the mouth, and secreting a foul-smelling fluid from the anal glands.
Professional Opossum Removal in Milwaukee, WI
Advanced Wildlife and Pest Control provides opossum removal services in Milwaukee and southeastern Wisconsin. Our certified wildlife specialists safely and efficiently trap, remove, and exclude nuisance opossums from your home or business.
We will perform a thorough home inspection to identify signs of opossum activity, such as droppings, tracks, and entry points. After the inspection, we will safely trap and remove the opossum and seal all entry points to prevent future intrusions. Opossum trapping is the most effective and humane way to remove an opossum.
Opossum Diseases
Opossums can carry several infectious diseases, including leptospirosis, tuberculosis, and tularemia. Although they are highly resistant to rabies, opossums can still carry the disease. Opossums are very docile animals that play dead when threatened. They will bite in self-defense. Even if an opossum seems calm or friendly, you should never approach a wild animal.
Opossum Exclusion
Opossums may look scary, but they are quite beneficial animals to have in your yard. They will eat almost anything, including ticks! Opossums are most likely to cause problems by getting into garbage or raiding bird feeders. They do not usually cause damage, but opossums can startle homeowners when they take shelter in wood piles, sheds, or under decks or porches. The most effective way to prevent opossums is to create exclusions and habitat modifications around your home.
- Secure trash cans.
- Remove brush or trash piles.
- Don’t leave pet food outside overnight.
- Install chimney caps and vent covers.
- Cut tree branches that overhang the roof.
Opossum FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
What do opossums eat?
Opossums are omnivorous scavengers. They eat insects, fruits, berries, earthworms, frogs, plants, ticks, garbage, and carrion. Opossums are often killed by vehicles while scavenging for carcasses along roads.
Where do opossums live?
Opossums are common throughout Wisconsin. They den in hollow tree cavities, brush piles, and abandoned animal burrows in wooded areas near water. In urban areas, opossums often shelter in man-made structures such as sheds, garages, or old buildings. Opossums are typically solitary animals, except when females are raising young.
When do opossums have babies?
Opossums are polygamous and mate in March. Females have one to two litters per year. The average litter size is seven to eight young. Gestation is only two weeks. The female will give birth to underdeveloped babies the size of honeybees, known as joeys. The young will crawl into the mother’s pouch, where they continue to develop. During this stage of their life, they may be seen riding around on the female’s back. By the time they are three months old, they will be weaned and on their own.
How long do opossums live?
Opossums are polygamous and mate in March. Females have one to two litters per year. The average litter size is seven to eight young. Gestation is only two weeks. The female will give birth to underdeveloped babies the size of honeybees, known as joeys. The young will crawl into the mother’s pouch, where they continue to develop. During this stage of their life, they may be seen riding around on the female’s back. By the time they are three months old, they will be weaned and on their own.
What does opossum poop look like?
Opossum scat looks very similar to dog poop. The small, dark pellets are about 1 to 2 inches long. They are smooth on the sides and may be covered in white or yellow mold growth. Fresh opossum droppings are brown in color. The feces tend to be more curly than straight.
What do opossum tracks look like?
Opossums have five toes on each foot. Their opposable toes on their hind feet work like thumbs to help them grab branches when they climb. An opossum’s hind tracks resemble a baby’s handprint. The front and opposite hind tracks will be side by side or close together. If the animal is moving slowly, a tail drag mark may be noticeable, but it typically holds its tail off the ground when walking.
Illustration by Dan Goodman