Opossums are common marsupials found across North America, often encountered in diverse environments. When faced with humans, opossums generally exhibit behaviors rooted in fear and avoidance. Their natural inclination is to retreat rather than confront, highlighting their shy disposition.
How Opossums React to Danger
When an opossum perceives a threat, its initial response is to escape. If fleeing is not possible, the animal employs a range of defensive behaviors designed to deter a potential predator. This includes hissing loudly, growling, and baring their fifty teeth in an intimidating display that is more bluff than an intent to attack. They may also drool excessively, which can make them appear sick or unappetizing to a predator.
A well-known defense mechanism, often referred to as “playing possum,” is an involuntary physiological reaction to extreme fear or stress, not a conscious decision. In this state, known as tonic immobility or thanatosis, the opossum’s body goes limp, its breathing becomes shallow, and its heart rate decreases significantly. They may also emit a foul-smelling, greenish fluid from their anal glands, further convincing predators that they are deceased or diseased. This catatonic state can last from a few minutes to several hours, allowing the opossum to remain unresponsive even if prodded, until the perceived danger has passed.
Reasons for Their Shy Nature
Opossums are inherently cautious creatures, largely due to their position as prey animals. They face threats from various predators, including large owls, foxes, coyotes, bobcats, and domestic dogs. This constant pressure has shaped their behavior, leading them to prefer avoiding confrontation and seeking safety.
Their nocturnal habits also contribute to their shy nature, minimizing encounters with humans during daylight hours. Opossums are most active at night, foraging for food and moving between temporary dens. During the day, they rest in secluded spots such as hollow trees, abandoned burrows, or brush piles, further reducing their visibility.
Opossums are solitary and nomadic animals, preferring to live alone and moving frequently in search of food and shelter. They do not establish territories like many other animals, lacking the territorial aggression seen in some species. Their transient lifestyle and preference for solitude make them less likely to seek out or engage with humans.
Safe Encounters with Opossums
Encountering an opossum requires a calm and respectful approach. Observe them from a distance, allowing them to move freely without feeling cornered or threatened. Since opossums are not inherently aggressive, giving them space is usually sufficient for them to continue on their way. They will almost always choose to retreat if an escape route is available.
Never attempt to touch, corner, or pick up an opossum, even if it appears to be “playing possum”. This is an involuntary state, and attempting to interact with them can cause them further stress or prompt a defensive reaction if they recover from the state. If an opossum has entered a building, opening doors to the outside and allowing it to exit on its own is the recommended approach.
Feeding opossums, or any wild animal, is discouraged as it can lead to negative outcomes for both animals and people. Providing food can cause opossums to lose their natural fear of humans, leading to dependency and unhealthy dietary habits. Human food can cause nutritional imbalances and health problems, and congregating animals for food can increase disease transmission. Securing trash cans and pet food helps prevent unwanted encounters by removing readily available food sources.
Debunking Opossum Myths
A common misconception is that opossums carry rabies. While any mammal can contract rabies, it is extremely rare for opossums due to their lower body temperature (94-97 degrees Fahrenheit). This cooler internal environment makes it difficult for the rabies virus to thrive. Therefore, the open-mouthed hissing and drooling often seen in a threatened opossum is a defensive bluff, not a sign of rabies.
Opossums are not aggressive animals unless provoked or cornered. Their defense mechanisms involve avoidance, bluffing, or feigning death, rather than initiating an attack. While they possess many teeth, they are reluctant to bite and will only do so if they feel their life is truly in danger or are protecting their young.
Opossums play a beneficial role in the ecosystem. As omnivores and scavengers, they consume a wide variety of items, including insects, snails, slugs, small rodents, and carrion. They are often referred to as “nature’s cleanup crew” for consuming decaying matter, which helps prevent the spread of disease. They also consume ticks, with some estimates suggesting they can eliminate many of these parasites, contributing to a healthier environment.