In my years of dealing with unwanted critters, I’ve learned that understanding an animal’s diet is crucial to managing their presence. Opossums, those nocturnal wanderers that often find their way into our yards and homes, have particularly intriguing eating habits.
Opossums almost look like a cross between a large cat and a skunk, and can weigh anywhere from 4 to 30 pounds. Like skunks, they have a reputation for playing possum, which essentially means to play dead. They have a reputation for going through trash cans and trying to eat your table scraps, but they can also be beneficial for keeping ticks, fleas, and other insects away.
Whether you’re looking to persuade one to leave your property or you’re just curious about these misunderstood marsupials, knowing what tickles their taste buds is essential. Let’s explore the surprisingly varied menu of North America’s only marsupial — you might be surprised at what we uncover.
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So, What Do Opossum’s Like To Eat?
You’ll have a much easier time finding objects that an opossum won’t try to ingest rather than trying the pin down each and every thing they do eat.
The possum diet is pretty simple. Like humans, opossums are omnivores—they eat both plants and meat—and in their case, pretty much everything in between.
Check out the detailed sections below for a little more insight on how their diets break down.
Did you know that opossums are beneficial animals? Despite their creepy appearances and catatonic-like states of panic when humans come around, these animals are like nature’s exterminators!
These animals regularly feast on cockroaches, mice, rats, spiders, slugs, snails, insects, frogs—you name it, they probably eat it. They even eat fleas, and keeping fleas away is a great way to prevent yourself from getting Lyme Disease.
Opossums are among the kinds of animals that eat ticks and they specialize in scavenging and consuming the unpleasant critters in your yard; getting rid of them so you don’t have to!
You know those unsightly weeds you want to get rid of in the garden?
You guessed it—opossums will happily eat those. They prefer to eat wilting, decaying plant matter over healthy, well-nourished crops, which breathes a sigh of relief into every green-thumbed gardener out there.
If you’ve ever seen a fresh piece of roadkill, the image of a mother opossum with babies riding on her back surely isn’t far behind in your head.
The reason these two thoughts are connected is that opossums feed on carrion—another term for dead animals—and are commonly seen munching on the carcasses of decaying animals on the side of the road.
In the wild (as well as in your backyard), opossums enjoy picking the bones of dead animals clean and will take advantage of any carcasses they find lying around.
Strange Things Opossums Eat Sometimes
Okay, so opossums basically eat anything and everything. That much is clear.
But what are some of the especially ridiculous things they ingest?!
Here’s something I bet you didn’t know: even though it’s one of the most dangerous snakes in the USA, opossums can eat a rattlesnake with no problem!
How can this be?!
Well, it turns out that opossums have a protein in their blood which makes them immune to a snake’s venom. To an opossum, a snake is just another food source, no different than a frog or a really long slug.
Scientists are currently using the blood of opossums to help develop anti-venom for human use.
Guess what lives in your trash? Rats, mice, roaches, ants…the list goes on and on. And guess what eats all those things?
You guessed it! Opossums. Wherever there are household pests, there will also be opossums to hunt them down. Of course, this is beneficial in the form of free pest control…but when there’s an animal ransacking your garbage area to grab a free meal, things can get pretty messy.
In addition to following the pests, opossums themselves are attracted to the scent of the garbage—particularly trash that has food scraps mixed inside. This can be problematic for homeowners, especially when the opossums tear into garbage bags and scatter trash through the yard to find the scraps they smell.
To address Opossums invading your yard, maintain a clean yard using lawn maintenance accessories such as rakes and lawnmowers.
If you find yourself setting out food for your dog or cat, but seeing it disappear before your furry friend has a chance to chow down, an opossum might just be the culprit.
It’s not uncommon for opossums to feed on pet food left outside homes, especially in urban areas where there’s not much wildlife or roadkill to forage for themselves. Oftentimes, this is one of the first signs that an opossum is prowling around a property, as their reclusive nature and nocturnal schedule keep opossums from coming out and interacting with humans in the light of day.
How to Get Rid of Opossums
In my years of experience, I’ve found that while these wild animals can be beneficial for pest control, sometimes they overstay their welcome. They can become a problem really fast once they start going through your garbage cans or eating your cat or dog food on your porch. If you’re dealing with an opossum infestation, here are some effective strategies I’ve used:
- Cut food sources: The first step is always prevention. Remove any easily accessible food like pet food, fallen fruit, or unsecured garbage. Remember, opossums will eat almost anything!
- Seal entry points: Inspect your property for potential entry points – under decks, in crawl spaces, or holes in fences. Seal these off to prevent opossums from making your property their new home.
- Use deterrents: Bright lights, loud noises, or motion-activated sprinklers can make your yard less appealing to these nocturnal creatures.
- Natural repellents: Opossums have a keen sense of smell and dislike strong smells. Try using ammonia-soaked rags or predator urine around your property.
- Trapping and relocation: As a last resort, live trapping can be effective. However, this should only be done by professionals or with proper knowledge of local wildlife laws.
- Professional help: If the problem persists, don’t hesitate to call in the experts. They have the tools and experience to handle even the most stubborn opossum issues.
Remember, while opossums can be a nuisance, they play a valuable role in our ecosystem. Always opt for humane removal methods when possible. With patience and the right approach, you can encourage these critters to move along without causing them harm.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a possum's favorite food?
Opossums are opportunistic eaters, but they particularly favor protein-rich foods. Insects, small rodents, and carrion top their list. They also enjoy fruits, especially overripe ones.
In urban areas, they might develop a taste for pet food left outdoors. However, their adaptable nature means they don’t rely on any single “favorite” food.
Should I feed wild opossums?
I don’t recommend feeding wild opossums. It can create dependency, alter their natural behaviors, and lead to human-wildlife conflicts.
Feeding can also cause nutritional imbalances and attract other unwanted animals to your property. It’s best to let opossums find their own food naturally, which they’re well-equipped to do.
What foods are bad for possums?
Foods high in sodium or sugar can be harmful to opossums. Chocolate, caffeine, and alcohol are toxic. Avocados and onions can cause digestive issues.
Processed human foods should be avoided as they lack proper nutrition. While opossums have a varied diet, excessive consumption of any one food type can lead to nutritional deficiencies.
Can opossums be beneficial for my garden, and what might they eat there?
Opossums can be great for gardens. They eat pests like snails, slugs, insects, rats, and mice. They’re especially good at controlling tick populations.
While they might nibble on some produce, their pest control benefits usually outweigh any minor crop losses. To minimize issues, harvest ripe produce promptly.
What do you do with a possum that is eating your cat's food on the porch?
To stop an opossum from eating cat food, feed your cat indoors or bring the food in at night. Consider using a microchip-activated pet feeder.
For deterrents, try motion-activated lights or sprinklers, or spread ammonia-soaked rags around the area. Remember, remove the food source and the opossum will likely move on.
Final Thoughts About Opossums and Their Diets
Opossums are, essentially, like nature's garbage disposals; much like raccoons, these little guys will eat just about anything.
Whether you're trying to bait an opossum into a trap or understand why the one in your yard seems to eat everything in sight, we're here to shed a little light on their feeding habits. With our article, you'll know that it's much easier to ask yourself about the foods that opossums don't like rather than what they do eat!
