Possum Diet: The Omnivorous Scavenger
Possums are highly adaptable omnivores. Their diet primarily consists of readily available food sources, reflecting their role as opportunistic scavengers in many environments. They consume fruits, berries, and nuts. Possums also eat a variety of invertebrates such as slugs, snails, and beetles, aiding in insect control.
A significant portion of their diet includes carrion. This scavenging behavior helps to clean up ecosystems by removing decaying organic matter. Possums also forage for eggs, young birds, and small rodents when such prey is easily accessible. Their fifty teeth are well-suited for processing this varied diet, from soft fruits to tougher animal tissues. In urban and suburban areas, they are known to consume garden produce and human food waste found in garbage cans.
When Possums Kill: Opportunistic Encounters
While possums are not primary predators, they are opportunistic feeders that may kill very small or vulnerable prey. Killing instances typically involve easily overpowered animals like insects, slugs, and snails. They might also prey on baby birds or nestlings if encountered in a nest. These events are generally rare and occur when circumstances present an easy meal rather than through active hunting.
Possums lack the speed, agility, and specialized predatory instincts of true hunters. Their slow gait makes them inefficient at pursuing larger, healthy prey. Any “killing” they engage in is usually a result of stumbling upon an already injured, sick, or extremely vulnerable animal. Their physical adaptations are geared more towards foraging and scavenging than active predation.
Distinguishing Possum Behavior from True Predators
Possums exhibit behaviors that differ from true predators like foxes, coyotes, or domestic cats. Unlike these hunters, possums do not possess specialized adaptations for active pursuit or subduing large prey. They lack the bursts of speed, powerful jaws for a killing bite, or coordinated hunting strategies seen in many carnivorous mammals. Their solitary nature also contrasts with the pack hunting common among some larger predators.
Their primary defense mechanism, often referred to as “playing ‘possum’,” highlights their non-aggressive disposition. When severely threatened, a possum may enter a catatonic state, appearing dead with a limp body, open mouth, and reduced heart rate. This response deters predators who prefer live prey. This behavior underscores their tendency to avoid confrontation rather than engage in aggressive attacks.
Understanding Possums: Debunking Myths
Many common misunderstandings surround possums, particularly regarding their aggression or threat level. Despite defensive displays of hissing or baring their teeth when cornered, possums are timid animals that prefer to avoid confrontation.
Possums also play beneficial roles within their ecosystems. They consume significant numbers of ticks, potentially reducing the prevalence of tick-borne diseases. As scavengers, they help remove unwanted organic matter from the environment. The risk of possums transmitting rabies is extremely low due to their naturally lower body temperature, which makes it difficult for the rabies virus to survive.