The Virginia opossum is North America’s only native marsupial, adapted for a nocturnal existence. Seeing one moving about in the middle of the day can understandably cause concern. While a daytime sighting is unusual, it does not automatically indicate that the animal is sick or distressed. A healthy opossum may emerge during daylight hours for several normal and necessary reasons related to survival.
Normal and Necessary Reasons for Daytime Activity
The most common reason for an opossum to be active during the day is the need for food. Opossums require energy to sustain themselves, especially during periods of environmental stress. When food sources become scarce, such as during winter or drought, the animal must extend its foraging time into the day to find enough sustenance.
Female opossums with dependent young also frequently emerge in daylight hours due to the demands of motherhood. A mother carrying a large litter needs more food, sometimes forcing her to search for nutrition regardless of the time of day. Opossums do not build permanent dens, instead using temporary shelters that they change every few days.
If a daytime sleeping spot is disturbed by a predator, a loud noise, or a dog, the opossum will immediately leave and seek a new safe location. This often results in a brief, purposeful period of daytime movement as the animal relocates to a quiet area. In these cases, the opossum is moving with clear direction and intent, indicating a healthy animal.
Identifying Signs of Illness or Injury
While most daytime sightings are benign, it is important to know the visual cues that distinguish a healthy animal from a sick one. An opossum exhibiting signs of illness will often display a lack of coordination, such as staggering or circling. You may also observe heavy mucus discharge from the eyes or nose, or notice obvious wounds from an attack or accident.
A common misconception is that a daytime opossum must have rabies, but this is extremely rare. Their average body temperature, typically 94 to 97 degrees Fahrenheit, makes it difficult for the rabies virus to survive and replicate effectively within their system. Nevertheless, other serious illnesses can cause neurological symptoms.
Signs of severe distress or disease include unusual aggression, or a complete lack of fear toward humans and pets. Excessive drooling or foaming around the mouth can be a symptom of illness. However, this is also a feature of “playing possum,” a natural defense mechanism where the animal mimics a sick or dead state. A healthy opossum playing possum will eventually recover and move on without intervention.
Recommended Actions When Encountering a Daytime Opossum
If you encounter an opossum moving with purpose and showing no obvious signs of distress, the best course of action is to leave it alone. You should secure any pets, allowing the animal to continue its search for food or a new den site. In most cases, the animal will quickly move through the area and return to its nocturnal schedule.
If the opossum is visibly injured, lying motionless for an extended period, or displaying signs like circling or staggering, intervention is necessary. Under no circumstances should you attempt to touch, handle, or feed the animal, as this can be dangerous. Opossums will bite if cornered or frightened, even when healthy.
Contacting a local wildlife rehabilitator or animal control service is the appropriate next step for a sick or injured animal. These professionals have the training and resources to safely capture and treat the opossum. Removing outdoor food sources like pet food and unsecured garbage can also discourage future daytime visits by healthy animals.