Opossums are common marsupials found across North and South America, recognized by their distinctive appearance and nocturnal habits. Many people wonder if these shy creatures carry an unpleasant odor. This question often arises from misconceptions about their hygiene and defensive behaviors.
Opossum Scent: Fact or Fiction?
Opossums are not inherently “smelly” animals. They are quite clean, regularly grooming themselves using their tongues and paws, similar to cats. This meticulous grooming helps them remove parasites like ticks and maintain a healthy coat, contributing to their overall cleanliness. Any strong odor associated with an opossum is typically temporary and linked to specific circumstances, rather than being a constant state. The perception of opossums as dirty or smelly is largely a misconception, as their grooming habits make them surprisingly hygienic.
Understanding Opossum Odor Sources
Opossums can produce strong odors primarily as a defense mechanism when they feel threatened. When an opossum “plays possum,” an involuntary comatose-like state, it may secrete a foul-smelling, sometimes greenish, fluid from its anal glands. This musky, pungent smell mimics the scent of a decaying animal, deterring predators who prefer live prey.
Localized odors also arise from opossum waste. Their urine and feces can contribute to unpleasant smells, especially if they reside in an area for an extended period. Opossum droppings, often mixed with urine, can have a strong, disagreeable odor, particularly when found in enclosed spaces like attics. The smell of their waste is often described as potent and can linger.
Opossums also have a violet gland under their chin that releases a musky odor for scent marking, though this scent is generally not perceptible to humans unless in close proximity. While an opossum isn’t inherently smelly, specific situations involving stress or prolonged habitation can result in noticeable odors.
Coexisting with Opossums
Preventative measures are effective in managing opossums and minimizing potential odor concerns around human habitats. Securing outdoor food sources is a primary step, as opossums are opportunistic omnivores attracted to easily accessible food. This includes keeping garbage can lids tightly secured, removing fallen fruit from yards, and bringing pet food bowls indoors, especially at night. These actions reduce incentives for opossums to frequent a property.
Humane methods can encourage opossums to move along if they have taken up residence nearby. Removing potential den sites, such as brush piles, firewood stacks, or unsealed spaces under decks and sheds, can discourage them from staying. While some repellents exist, removing food sources and shelter is generally the most effective approach. Opossums are generally non-aggressive and provide benefits, such as consuming ticks and garden pests.