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Opossums:
Copyright Wildlife Ranger 2011
The Opossum: (Didelphis virginiana). Opossums can be
seen sneaking around the neighborhood at night usually
travelling alone. They are wonderful scavengers and will
exploit just about any food source on the block from
raiding garbage cans, pet food, rotten fruit fallen from
fruit trees--to eating insects, frogs, and worms. They will
eat carrion and when scavenging for a roadside meal
can be in great danger of becoming roadkill themselves.
Opossums are not necessarily the most industrious
nuisance wildlife we come across. They will normally
occupy holes abandoned by armadillos, occupy attics
after raccoons have moved out, or can be perfectly
happy sleeping under your shed. They don't cause much
trouble trying to break in, but can be pretty tough to
persuade to leave once they consider your place home.
Opossums are omnivores and have 50 teeth, more than any other mammal in North
America.
Life span in the wild is rarely more than two years, with a maximum in captivity of only
about 4 years.
Opossums have a prehensile tail, are marsupials, and possess opposable thumbs on
their hind feet.
Mother opossums can give birth to up to 25 offspring. Fewer than half will survive.
Baby opossums are weened by about day 70 to 125 and will leave the pouch and
travel on Mom's back.
Noise: The sounds that opossums make will sound much like a raccoon, only slower.
They tend to make sounds that seem to indicate shuffling, rather than brisk movement.
Structural Damage: As mentioned above, opossums are not known for
great intelligence or brute strength, but will be perfectly happy to move into
an old den site made by other animals.
Droppings: The concerns related to the opossums droppings are no
different than raccoons, rats, squirrels, etc. It is important to clean up the
mess left behind by the animals as there are serious health concerns
related to the pressence of droppings.
Recurrence: Properly sealing the structure against re-entry is the key to
solving the issue permanently.
Exlusion: Repairing the entry point and ensuring that the home is
properly excluded is the key to solving the issue permanently. Opossum
repairs should be made using only industry accepted materials and
procedures as the strength and intelligence of the animal will ultimately
undo any effort that is not completed 100% to standard.