The common or Virginia opossum is the only marsupial found in the United States or Canada and represents the most common of several opossum species. Marsupials have a pouch which it uses to carry its young. Other well-known marsupials include koala bears and kangaroos.

Interesting note: Opossums and "possums" are not the same animal. The possum (no O) is actually a tree-climbing marsupial that lives in Australia and is a distant cousin to the North American Opossum, which is very different in appearance.

Opossum Facts

• Opossum is derived from the Algonquian Indian word aposoum, meaning "white dog" or "white beast."

• The term "playing possum" comes from the animals' unique reaction to stress or threats, which is to flop onto its side and lie completely still with its eyes closed or staring into space, and even lolling their tongues to appear dead. 

• Marsupials are one of the very few non-primate mammals that have opposable thumbs.

• Opossums can carry a protozoan known as Sarcocystis neurona, which can lead to fatal neurologic disease in horses.

• Opossums are prevalent in North and South America and are sometimes hunted for food, especially in the southern United States.

Opossum Damage

Opossums are scavengers, happily raiding garbage cans, dumpsters, pet food dishes, and other containers. They are omnivorous, eating plants, nuts, and fruit, and hunting mice, birds, insects, snakes, and even chickens. They also love worms and grubs and can cause massive amounts of damage to lawns and gardens in search of their favorite snack.

Opossums can produce a shocking amount of waste, staining attics and ceilings, and enveloping an entire house in a terrible stench, along with attracting parasites and bacterial growth. Messy eaters, they often bring their food (including carrion) indoors and leave rotting scraps everywhere. Once in your attic, damage to air ducts, insulation, and even electrical wiring (leading to fire risks) is common. With their rapid growth and short lifespans, these large mammals commonly die indoors, and their decomposing carcasses can create an unbelievable mess and stink. Like other wildlife infestations, the presence of a possible opossum infestation must be disclosed to potential property buyers, which can negatively impact your home's value.

Health And Safety Dangers

Opossums can carry rabies, but it's extremely rare. However, one of the natural defenses that they have evolved is the appearance of the disease. Symptoms such as sways, excessive drooling, and aggressive hissing are a show that the opossum will put on to ward off threats and predators. Unfortunately, these behaviors make it nearly impossible to tell if the animal actually does have rabies or is just putting on a show. Even though the odds highly favor the later, it's not a lottery ticket that most folks want to buy. 

Opossum under a house, porch, deck, or outbuilding, may present a danger to children, pets, and livestock. Though not naturally aggressive, they will defend themselves with sharp fangs and razor-like digging claws if cornered or protecting their young. The more significant risks are the parasites such as fleas, mites, and lice, that opossums host, which can be especially dangerous to domesticated cats and small dogs. These bugs can carry diseases like leptospirosis, tuberculosis, coccidiosis, spotted fever, tularemia, among others.



If "possum pie" isn't your first choice of dealing with these messy marsupials, your next best bet is to contact a trained professional. Call the experts at Stratex Pest Control. We follow strict safety protocols and also identify secondary pest issues, offer strategies to avoid future infestations, and assure adherence to governmental regulations specific to the pest in question. Individuals who detect or suspect opossums should contact us as soon as possible to resolve the issue before it gets any worse.