Virginia Opossums are found in Colorado. As North America’s only native marsupial, these adaptable creatures have successfully established populations within the state. This article explores their distribution and the biological advantages contributing to their success in Colorado.
Opossums in Colorado
The Virginia Opossum (Didelphis virginiana) is the species found in Colorado. They primarily concentrate in lower elevations, often near river systems and waterways. These animals prefer urban and suburban environments, where food and shelter are readily available, including human dwellings, gardens, and refuse.
Opossums are not historically native to Colorado; they were not present before European settlement. Their westward expansion is a recent phenomenon, largely attributed to human development and altered landscapes. As human populations and agricultural areas grew, opossums followed, utilizing new food sources and habitats. Their presence reflects a successful range expansion over the past century.
Thriving in the Centennial State
Opossums demonstrate adaptability, allowing them to survive in diverse environments, including Colorado. Their omnivorous and opportunistic scavenging diet is a primary factor in their success. They consume a wide array of food, from fruits, grains, insects, small vertebrates, and carrion, readily utilizing human refuse. This dietary flexibility enables them to exploit various food opportunities in natural and developed areas.
Their nocturnal habits also contribute to their success. Active primarily at night, opossums avoid human activity and many diurnal predators. This adaptation allows them to safely forage and navigate landscapes heavily used by humans during the day. Opossums utilize various habitats, from wooded areas and brushy fields to urban parks and residential backyards, finding shelter in tree hollows, abandoned burrows, or under porches.
Opossums have a high reproductive rate and a short gestation period, contributing to their population establishment and resilience. Females can have multiple litters per year, each with many young. When threatened, opossums employ “playing possum,” feigning death by entering a catatonic state to deter predators.
Living Alongside Opossums
Opossums are generally docile and pose a low risk to humans. Unlike many mammals, their lower body temperature makes them less susceptible to carrying the rabies virus, though transmission is still possible. Their primary defense is to flee or “play possum” rather than confront.
To prevent nuisance issues, residents can take several steps. Secure trash cans with tight-fitting lids to prevent foraging. Bring pet food indoors overnight to remove a common food source. Seal off access to crawl spaces, sheds, or under decks to deter them from seeking shelter in human-made structures.
If an opossum is sighted, it is best to leave it alone; they are not aggressive and are likely just passing through. If an opossum appears injured, sick, or trapped, contact local wildlife services or animal control. These professionals can assess the situation and safely relocate the animal if necessary.