Opossums, often seen scurrying in the night, are North America’s only native marsupial. These nocturnal animals, characterized by their pointed snout, hairless tail, and slow gait, are frequently misunderstood. While some might perceive them as common pests, opossums play significant roles in maintaining healthy local ecosystems and even benefit human environments in various ways.
Natural Pest Controllers
Opossums are omnivores with a broad diet that includes many invertebrates, making them effective natural pest controllers. They consume a variety of garden pests, such as grasshoppers, crickets, beetles, slugs, and snails. Their presence can help reduce populations of these creatures, which might otherwise damage garden plants. Opossums also prey on small rodents, including mice and rats, contributing to the control of these populations around homes and yards.
The role of opossums in managing tick populations. While earlier research suggested opossums consumed many ticks through grooming, recent studies show ticks are not a significant part of their diet. However, opossums groom off and kill a high percentage of ticks that attempt to feed on them, reducing tick numbers in the environment. This behavior helps mitigate the spread of tick-borne illnesses like Lyme disease.
Ecological Clean-Up Crew
Opossums serve as nature’s clean-up crew through scavenging. They consume carrion, such as dead animals and roadkill, preventing the accumulation of decaying matter in the environment. This reduces the potential spread of diseases from decomposing carcasses and keeps areas cleaner.
Their diet also includes fallen fruit, berries, and other organic debris found on the ground. Opossums show a preference for overripe or rotting fruit, such as apples, pears, grapes, and persimmons. Clearing these natural wastes contributes to area sanitation and discourages other less desirable scavengers. They also consume uneaten pet food or spilled birdseed.
Remarkable Disease Resistance
Opossums possess resistance to certain diseases and even some venoms. Their naturally lower body temperature, typically ranging from 94 to 97 degrees Fahrenheit (approximately 34 to 36 degrees Celsius), makes them poor hosts for the rabies virus. This cooler internal environment makes it difficult for the virus to survive and incubate, resulting in rabies cases being exceedingly rare.
Beyond rabies, opossums exhibit resistance to the venom of many snakes, particularly pit vipers like rattlesnakes and copperheads. This resistance is attributed to proteins and peptides in their blood serum. These biological compounds can neutralize the harmful components of snake venom. This adaptation allows opossums to sometimes prey on venomous snakes, contributing to ecological balance by controlling snake populations.
Living Harmoniously with Possums
Coexisting with opossums is straightforward due to their non-aggressive nature. When threatened, these animals prefer to flee, hiss, or “play dead” rather than confronting danger. Attacks on humans or pets are rare, as their defense mechanisms are avoidance and feigned death.
To encourage opossums as beneficial visitors, simple yard adjustments can be made. Secure trash cans with tight-fitting lids and bungee cords to prevent scattering refuse. Avoid leaving pet food or birdseed outdoors, especially overnight, to remove food sources that attract them. Promptly clear fallen fruit from under trees.