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Facts
In North America, opossums are found in the eastern, central, and west coast states.
Opossums will live in a variety of habitats ranging from dry to wet areas and from woodlands to open fields. They prefer areas near streams or swamps.
Opossums are the only marsupial in North America. They are nocturnal, are great climbers and are often seen in trees or other high places such as hay lofts or attics.
If the opossum is cornered, because it is slow and can not run away quickly, it may do one or more of several things, including: bare teeth, growl, hiss, bite, screech, and expel a smelly greenish fluid from their anal glands. If these methods are unsuccessful, the animal may play dead.
Opossums make living quarters in a variety of areas, such as culverts, tree cavities, burrows of other animals, brush piles and buildings. Because they are not afraid of humans, they have also been known to den in attics or garages.
The opossum is an omnivore, which means they will eat nearly anything. Foods preferred by opossums are insects, carrion and animal matter. They will eat fruits and grains, also. Any food with a fowl odor will attract an opossum.
Good opossum bait includes: slightly spoiled meat, strong smelling fish, cheese and rotten eggs.
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Signs
Often, seeing them is the only way to determine the presence of a nuisance opossum. They are not shy or afraid. Their tracks are also a good identifier. Both front and hind feet look as if they were made by a human hand with spread fingers.
Damage from an opossum can be mistaken as damage caused by a raccoon.
Opossums are known to be a nuisance near homes and building sites where they eat food from bird feeders, pet feeders, and garbage cans. They can destroy poultry and game birds, also destroying their nests. Opossums sometimes live in buildings, particularly barns and out buildings and sometimes live in house attics. They can create large messes with their fecal matter.
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Trapping Tips
- Opossums are not wary of cage traps. Traps set for opossums may require little or no concealment. Best luck will occur if the cage trap is set near the living area of the opossum. Use bait with a good, strong odor or a commercial animal lure.
- Be sure to anchor the traps set for opossums securely.
- Be cautious with a caged opossum; they do like to bite and snap when they are cornered.