The common opossum is North America’s only native marsupial, often observed foraging in residential areas. These nocturnal visitors are frequently, but mistakenly, blamed for extensive yard damage when new holes appear in the lawn or garden. The assumption that opossums are responsible for large-scale digging and burrowing is generally incorrect. Understanding the opossum’s actual behavior helps correctly identify the animal causing the disturbance and allows for more effective management of yard pests.
The Truth About Opossum Digging
Opossums are not built for deep excavation and do not construct extensive tunnel systems or permanent burrows. Their claws are adapted for climbing, making them highly effective at scaling trees, fences, and structures, but less suited for serious digging. If an opossum digs at all, it is typically a superficial act of foraging for food.
They use their pointed snouts and front paws to root around in the soil, creating very small, shallow depressions, often only one or two inches deep. This minimal disturbance occurs when they are searching for insects, grubs, worms, or fallen fruit just beneath the surface. Opossums prefer to take up residence in existing shelters, such as abandoned burrows, hollow logs, brush piles, or spaces beneath decks and sheds.
Identifying Opossum Presence Beyond Digging
The most reliable sign of an opossum’s visit is its distinctive track, highly recognizable due to its unique anatomy. The hind foot features an opposable inner toe that acts like a thumb, leaving a print separated from the other four toes. This opposable digit gives the rear tracks an asymmetrical appearance.
Opossum droppings are another common sign, often found near den sites or along travel routes. Their scat typically ranges from one to three inches long, with tapered or pointed ends, and its texture and color vary depending on their omnivorous diet. Opossums also cause nuisances, such as raiding unsecured trash cans, consuming outdoor pet food, and creating temporary dens under porches or outbuildings.
Animals More Likely to Cause Yard Holes
If you are finding numerous or large holes in your yard, the culprit is likely a different animal with a stronger motivation for excavation. Skunks are notorious for creating small, conical holes, typically three to four inches wide, as they hunt for beetle larvae and grubs in the lawn. These foraging holes often appear in clusters or lines across the turf.
Moles, which are insectivores, create extensive subterranean tunnel networks that manifest as raised ridges or volcano-shaped mounds of soil on the surface. The molehills are distinct because they are pushed up from below, lacking a visible entrance hole. Groundhogs, also known as woodchucks, are responsible for the largest and deepest holes, which serve as entrances to their complex burrows. These entrance holes are typically ten to twelve inches in diameter and are often found near building foundations, fences, or woodpiles.
Non-Lethal Deterrence and Exclusion Methods
Managing an opossum’s presence focuses on removing the attractants that bring them into the yard. The most effective step is securing all potential food sources, including bringing pet food indoors at night and ensuring trash can lids are tightly secured or locked. Regularly picking up fallen fruit from trees prevents an easy meal for these scavengers.
Exclusion methods are also highly successful, particularly sealing off access to potential den sites. Homeowners should use sturdy materials like hardware cloth to block openings under decks, sheds, or porches. The material should be buried a few inches into the ground with an outward-facing skirt to deter digging. Using motion-activated deterrents, such as lights or sprinklers, can also discourage an opossum from lingering in the area.