12/27/2025
Truth about opossum ie possum.
PSA: Opossums
This morning someone sent me an informational poster about Opossums. Thinking it looked to be useful and beneficial, I decided to forward/post it for the benefit of others. However, the information therein was not 100% accurate & correct. Thanks to those who pointed this out as yall caused me to look into the latest information about these critters.
In so doing, I found that there is a National Opossum Society. I didn't know there was one, what the secret handshake is, how to join this organization nor who is the current "Grand Poobah" thereof . . .
While generally my interest is such critters is limited to "How many of them does it take to make a nice sammich" . . . having held a genuine PP . . . a Pet Possum at a client's home . . . she was a specialized Rehab/Emergency Veterinarian that people bring wound animals to and they had a Possum that was darn big at 30+ lbs . . . it was the lone survivor of a possum family that had been run over by a vehicle and another motorist brought it in to her office . . . she saved it but it only had three legs due to serious injuries so they elected to keep it as a pet . . . guess what they named it???
"Speed Bump" *
I got to hold him, it was tame like a cat or dog . . .
Below I've posted a bunch of information from the NOS website for yall to read, lean and share as you see fit . . .
For God's sake, we don't want any OM, Opossum Misinformation out there . . . Yall have a great day ! ! !
*Please note that they really didn't name it Speed Bump but that there is some funny sh ! Additionally, I'm going to delete that other poster thing.
The
National Opossum Society
welcomes you to the world of the Virginia opossum!
If you are visiting us because you have found orphans,
or an injured opossum, please see our ORPHAN PAGE.
Orphan First Aid NEW INFO! The Importance Of Proper Diet Info For Rehabilitators And Vets
Quick Opossum Facts Natural History of the OpossumOpossums As Pets?? Discouraging Opossum VisitorsFind Help For An Opossum
Finding a Veterinarian Positions Of N.O.S. Join The SocietySearchable Index For Your Member Packet
A Short Quiz ...
What animal goes on a honeymoon, and 13 days later gives birth?
It lived during the age of dinosaurs: fossil remains have been found from 70 million years ago.
It can eat almost anything.
It loves to eat insects (beetles, cockroaches, and so forth.)
It eats snails and slugs.
It catches and eats roof rats.
It also eats cat food, dog food, people food.
It has thumbs on its hind feet!
It is very quiet, although it can make some sounds.
Learning and discrimination tests rank it above dogs, and more on the level of pigs.
Give Up? More clues...
It does not have a territory, but is always on the move, going to wherever the food is. Females stay in a smaller area while they care for their young.
It puts up a terrific bluff if cornered and can give the appearance of being really good at defending itself. NOTE: it is not good at defending itself!
Big Clue!
If attacked and unable to fight or run from danger, it collapses and appears to be dead!
An Opossum? That's right!
Females have litters up to twice a year (the father always skips town!). Babies, typically 5 to 8 in a litter, are ready to leave mommy's pouch and walk around out on their own by 4 months of age. That's when they are 7 to 9 inches, nose to rump, and weigh about 10 to 16 ounces.
But 'possum life is rough! Very few survive to become adults. The few that make it are eager to have their own love affairs and repeat Nature's cycle.
Nature is very efficient. If an area will support them (has their favorite foods, water, and appropriate shelter) more opossums survive. If times are hard, fewer will make it.
If a lot of opossums are killed by predators (they have lots of predators- man is one of the biggest) there is more food for those that remain. Then these little furries will reproduce more successfully until they get back to their optimum number; or others will move in to fill the void (or niche) their absence creates. They can be replaced by opossums from outside the area, by rats, skunks cats, crows, raccoons, coyotes, etc.
Fortunately opossums are hardy little animals – they have to be!
In general they present a far lower health risk to humans than do dogs and cats! They seem to have a naturally high level of immunity to most diseases. Example? Opossums are more resistant to rabies than any other mammal; cattle, goats, dogs, cats, sheep, and the ice cream man are far more susceptible to rabies!
Admittedly, opossums do carry fleas (as do all wild and some domestic animals). And the opossum may bite you if you are foolhardy enough to grab one; after all, they are wild animals.
But they help to maintain a clean and healthy environment. They eat all types of insects, including cockroaches, crickets, beetles, etcetera. They catch and eat rats, roof rats, mice, and they consume dead animals of all types (carrion). They like over-ripe fruit, berries, and grapes. And they think snails and slugs are a delicacy! Nature's little Sanitation Engineers!!
Typically they go about their quiet task late at night, and you usually won't know they were around...unless your dog (being territorial) starts barking, or you happen to take a midnight stroll when one is munching insects or snails in your yard.
What to do if you encounter an opossum...
nothing!
Just watch and enjoy one of Nature's beneficial wildlife species. If you must do something, try counting the thumbs on your feet...
If one has chosen your your garage, attic, or other structure, as its temporary quarters, you may not want it there! There are relatively simple and non-lethal means to get them to leave for more suitable spots in your area.
In the meantime, and BEFORE you have a visitor to those structures, pick up pet food at night, keep lids on garbage cans, and close potential entrance points. You can still enjoy opossums as they wander through your yard, eliminating its various pests as they go through their nightly excursions.
Help! I still need to discourage opossums!
What is the COST of Killing Opossums or Removing them from an Urban or Suburban Environment?
In terms of the environment, the cost is ...
loss of a harmless animal which eats all manner of pests and carrion.
leaving a vacant ecological niche which will be filled by adjacent opossums or by other mammals, such as rats, skunks, raccoons, etc. Opossums do not dig into the soil, nor do they destroy property; the risk of exposure to disease is lowest with them and higher with all other mammals; and they don't have a strong scent.
In terms of tax dollars, the cost is...
loss of North America's only marsupial, and the Earth's oldest surviving mammal family.
significant amounts of public funds and staff time spent by animal control agencies, removing and/or killing opossums;
the loss of these resources, which might have been better used for other purposes, such as rescuing stray or injured animals or impounding dangerous ones.
We must:
learn to live in harmony with our remaining wildlife species.
remember that it's still nice to "stop and smell the roses ", and watch an occasional opossum waddle by.
Help! I still need to discourage opossums!
HOME ORPHANS DIET REHABILITATION QUICK FACTS FIND A REHABBER ABOUT US JOIN
Benefits of Membership in the National Opossum Society
An expansive initial membership packet containing all past through present known health, diet, and medical information.
Periodic newsletter, from which members copy articles and add to the initial information packet to keep it current and usable.
Access to the best source of on-going and new knowledge concerning proper care of the opossum. Information from veterinarians and other recognized experts concerning: wild infants through adults and captive/ long term non-releasables.
Orphan Care Information-; "tinies" through release. We believe that only individuals working under direct supervision of experienced orphan care-givers should have charge of these little souls, but welcome new care-givers willing to learn and devote the time and effort required to preserve their fragile lives.
Membership is available for $25/year. Orphan care information is available in a separate handbook at an additional cost of $10.
We have a membership application form online!
Our principles and goals are:
Serve as a nationwide resource for current and correct diet, medical, and general knowledge of opossums.
Educate ourselves and share knowledge with others on all aspects of the proper care of opossums.
Educate the public concerning the benefits of the opossum in the environment.
Work with all agencies to improve management and handling of opossums in the environment
For more information than is contained in these pages, please write:
National Opossum Society
Post Office Box 21197
Catonsville, MD 21228
Drawings and photographs on these Pages are copyrighted! Other materials may be copied for personal use, but may not be sold. Reference must be attached to articles, and their content unaltered. Please write to us for permission to reprint articles, electronically or in print.
The National Opossum Society is an all-volunteer not-for-profit, tax-exempt charity, founded December 5, 1986.
The National Opossum Society and the Opossum Society of the United States, while both founded by Dr. Henness, are separate groups. This Web Site is for the group most recently led by the late Dr. Henness, the National Opossum Society.
Thank you for visiting our Web Site. We hope you will visit again soon.
REMEMBER!!! If you need immediate help with orphaned or injured opossums, please visit Orphan Care, or check this list for help in your locality.
A Word on Opossums in Research Facilities
The National Opossum Society exists for the benefit and improvement in care of the Didelphis genus, particularly Didelphis virginiana and Didelphis marsupialis.
Within institutions such as universities where opossums are kept captive for research projects of questionable value, they are rarely given the most basic care they require to live healthy lives. Their habitat requirements are not met at all in "pure" research. Wildlife experiences extreme stress under these circumstances, and thus are not going to remain healthy for long.
The National Opossum Society supports clinical research that strives to improve the health of the Didelphis genus or the individual opossum. Other research that intends to extrapolate data to benefit another species is not endorsed or supported in any way.
HOME ORPHANS DIET REHABILITATION QUICK FACTS FIND A REHABBER ABOUT US JOIN
Photo Credits: Paula Arms, Steve Finney, Mindy Washington
