Opossums are the only marsupial on this continent. Also known as Virginia opossums, they are native to the southeastern United States but were introduced to the West in 1890. Currently, there are established populations along the West Coast from British Columbia to San Diego.

Generally nocturnal, opossums spend the day in hollow tree trunks, rock crevices, under brush piles, or in burrows.

Opossums inhabit forested or brushy habitats, and have adapted well to living close to people in urban and suburban environments.

Although they can climb and are good swimmers, opossums prefer to live on the ground where they amble about slowly. Because of this, they are frequently struck by cars when crossing the street.

Opossums are omnivores. They eat both plant and animal foods, and scavenge carrion and garbage.

Basically solitary, opossums prefer to avoid each other except during breeding season in late winter.

Like other marsupials, opossums give birth to almost embryonic young which crawl into their mother's pouch where they will remain firmly attached to a nipple until they are about fifty days old. When the pouch becomes too crowded, the young venture out and ride on their mother's back.

Because of their long, naked tails, opossums are sometimes mistaken for large rats. Their teeth give them a menacing look, but opossums are actually quite docile and would prefer to avoid contact with humans. When confronted with danger, they do "play opossum," which is a state similar to fainting that can last from under one minute to six hours, and is designed to make predators lose interest in the motionless opossum.

Although opossums sometimes cause damage by overturning garbage, eating fruit or vegetables from the garden, and occasionally getting into a chicken house, they can easily be discouraged through habitat modification.

Opossums are attracted to food scraps in garbage and compost piles. Dispose of trash in a metal can and make sure the lid fits tightly. Further secure it with a bungee cord or chain. Do not put food of any kind in open compost piles; bury food waste in an underground composter or use a lidded worm box instead.

Opossums are also drawn to pet food. It is best not to feed cats and dogs outside, but if you have no other alternative, pick up food and water bowls as well as leftover and spilled food as soon as your pets have finished eating. Do not leave bowls or food scraps outside at night. To prevent opossums from coming through pet doors, do not put food near the door and lock the flap at night.

Opossums look for convenient denning sites, which in developed areas include rock, wood, and brush piles, and open spaces under porches, houses, and sheds. Before sealing possible den sites or entries, check first to make sure there are no animals present, especially when there might be young opossums out of the pouch that are old enough to be mobile off their mother's back but are not yet independent. To determine whether there are animals, you can cover openings near the ground with loose soil, and watch to see if an opossum digs out. If you suspect activity in a crawl space or opening in a wall, begin exclusion by sealing all available entries. Leave one hole open, and fit it with a one-way door, similar to a cat door, with a hinged flap so that the opossums can escape but not re-enter the space. Leave in place for several days and continue to watch for activity. Once you are certain the animals have left, close all openings with boards or metal screening, making sure that the barrier extends 8-10" underground. Remove other potential cover such as debris piles and low-growing vegetation.

If you keep chickens, it is best to control opossum predation by enclosing the birds at night. Make certain that the coop is secure, with well-fitting doors and a solid, concrete floor. Surround the coop with fencing that extends 6-8" underground to prevent opossums from digging into the chicken yard.

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