What Does An Opossum Eat And How Does It Find It?

Opossums are interesting little creatures that tend to live near humans. They are shy and prefer not to interact with people. However, they use civilization to secure easy food sources. 

Opossums are marsupials and omnivores, which is quite an intriguing combination. As a marsupial, they carry their young in their pouch like a kangaroo. As an omnivore, they have a very inclusive diet without many restrictions. 

They have opposable thumbs and tails that help them climb trees and buildings. An opossum who finds food in a yard will often move into an attic or basement. They like to take up shelter near their food source.

Opossums’ Eating Habits

Opossums are creatures of instinct and opportunity. They are lazier than other animals and prefer an easy meal to one they have to work for. However, they rarely pass up any meal at all. 

In the wild, opossums thrive on insects and small rodents. They will eat birds, worms, small fish, frogs and even snails. They also love nuts, berries, fruits and vegetables. This can make them quite a nuisance to people.

Opossums will tear up gardens and potted plants if they yield fruits or vegetables. They will scavenge through trash, leaving it scattered about and often terrorizing household pets. Opossums have also been known to eat chickens, which can cause problems in rural areas. 

These items do not limit the opossum’s diet. In harsh times they have been known to become carnivorous and even eat each other to survive. A dead animal carcass near the road or in a field is just a free meal for an opossum.  

An opossum’s diet may change with the seasons. For example, they often eat more insects in the hot summer months when they are plentiful. During the winter months, small mammals will make up the majority of their diet. 

Adaptations

Opossums have adapted well and developed a strong immune system. Since they often eat snakes, the bite of a poisonous snake does not affect them the same way. For instance, the bite of a copperhead or rattlesnake can be potentially fatal for a person. An opossum just dismisses it as the price of a meal. 

Opossums do help control a wide variety of pests. They can also be a terrible nuisance to private property and carry many illnesses that can be contagious to humans. There are also many hitch-hiking parasites that can help transmit these diseases.

It is always best not to handle an opossum without experience and the proper protection. While they are usually shy, they will become aggressive if frightened. 

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