Possums are fascinating marsupials known for their nocturnal habits. As the sun sets, these adaptable creatures emerge from their daytime resting spots to begin their nightly routines, navigating their environments in the dark.
Their Nighttime Routine
Possums spend their nights foraging for food, driven by their omnivorous and opportunistic diet. They consume a wide variety of items, including fruits, insects, small animals like mice, rats, and cockroaches, as well as carrion and eggs. They also scavenge human food scraps, pet food, and discarded garbage. Possums do not store food, necessitating continuous foraging year-round. Their keen sense of smell helps them locate diverse food sources even in low light.
During daylight hours, possums seek temporary shelters, as they do not construct elaborate nests. They find refuge in hollow trees, logs, abandoned burrows, brush piles, and rock crevices. In urban environments, they often utilize spaces under decks, in attics, sheds, or garages. Possums may rotate between several dens within their home range. They sometimes use their prehensile tails to carry nesting materials like leaves and twigs back to these chosen den sites.
As solitary animals, possums roam independently in search of food. While skilled climbers, they also spend considerable time on the ground. Possums contribute to ecosystem cleanliness by consuming carrion, which helps prevent disease spread. They also help control pest populations by feeding on insects, slugs, snails, rats, and mice.
Built for the Night
Possums possess adaptations that allow them to thrive in nocturnal environments. Their senses of smell and hearing are highly developed, compensating for their relatively poor eyesight in low light. Their large eyes are designed to maximize light intake, aiding their nighttime navigation.
Possums have physical adaptations that support their arboreal and terrestrial movements. Their long, prehensile tail, typically 9 to 21 inches, serves multiple purposes, including aiding in climbing, providing balance, gripping branches, and carrying materials. While young possums can briefly hang by their tails, adults are generally too heavy for extended periods. They also have opposable thumbs on their hind feet, along with sharp claws, which enhance their ability to grasp and climb.
Their fur provides insulation, assisting in thermoregulation during cooler nights. Possums can maintain a stable body temperature within a range of 3 to 35 degrees Celsius. While they do not hibernate, they may seek sheltered areas or burrow to regulate their body temperature, especially during colder periods, as their hairless ears and tails are susceptible to frostbite.
Nighttime Encounters
When confronted or threatened, possums exhibit a well-known defensive behavior called “playing possum,” an involuntary physiological response to extreme stress. In this state, they may lie motionless, drool excessively, and even emit a foul-smelling fluid, while their breathing and heart rate slow significantly. This feigned death often deters predators, as many prefer live prey. The duration of this state can vary from a few minutes to several hours.
Possums are generally non-aggressive and shy, preferring to avoid confrontation with humans or other animals. If cornered or threatened, they may hiss, growl, or bare their teeth as a warning. However, they rarely bite unless handled improperly or when their escape is blocked. The risk of possums carrying rabies is low due to their lower body temperature. It is advisable to observe them from a distance.
To discourage possums from frequenting residential areas, several preventative measures can be taken. Secure garbage cans with tight-fitting lids and avoid leaving pet food outdoors, especially overnight, to reduce attractants. Picking up fallen fruit from yards also helps eliminate a food source. Removing brush piles or wood stacks can minimize potential shelter sites, and sealing access points to homes prevents them from seeking refuge indoors. Motion-activated lights can also serve as a deterrent.