Possums, specifically the North American opossum, are often observed moving around at night, leading to questions about their daily routines. These marsupials have activity patterns primarily centered around the darker hours. Understanding their natural behaviors helps clarify why they are rarely seen during daylight.
Their Nighttime World
Opossums are primarily nocturnal, meaning they are most active during the hours of darkness and typically rest throughout the day. Their eyes are specially adapted to see well in low light, with pupils that remain dilated to maximize light intake.
During their active hours, opossums forage for food, explore their territory, and avoid threats. They are omnivores with a diverse diet, consuming insects, fruits, small animals, and carrion, making them efficient scavengers. They are solitary animals, preferring to conduct their nighttime activities alone. A keen sense of smell and a good memory assist them in locating and remembering food sources.
Why They Prefer the Dark
The nocturnal lifestyle of opossums provides several advantages for their survival. One benefit is the reduced risk of encountering daytime predators, such as hawks and eagles, which are less active after dusk. Moving under the cover of night allows them to safely search for sustenance.
Access to food sources also plays a role in their preference for darkness. Many insects and other small prey, along with carrion, are more readily available or easier to find at night. Cooler temperatures after sunset also benefit opossums, as they do not regulate body temperature efficiently. Their body temperature is typically lower, ranging from 94 to 97 degrees Fahrenheit.
Where They Rest During the Day
When the sun rises, opossums seek out secure, dark, and secluded locations to rest. They are not known for digging their own burrows but instead utilize existing shelters. Preferred resting spots include:
- Hollow logs
- Abandoned burrows dug by other animals
- Tree cavities
- Brush piles
- Rock crevices
In suburban and urban areas, opossums frequently adapt to human environments, finding refuge in quiet spots under porches, sheds, attics, or garages. They exhibit nomadic denning habits, often changing resting sites rather than establishing a permanent home. This frequent relocation helps them evade predators.
Occasional Daytime Sightings
While opossums are primarily nocturnal, it is not uncommon to observe them during daylight hours. Such sightings do not necessarily indicate that the animal is ill. One reason for daytime activity is a female opossum foraging to support a litter of young.
Food scarcity can also compel an opossum to venture out during the day, especially in colder months when food sources are harder to find. They might also be seen during the day if they have been disturbed from their resting spot by other animals or human activity. When seen in daylight, opossums may appear somewhat sluggish or disoriented.