If there’s one animal that gets misunderstood more than almost any other, it’s the opossum.
With their beady eyes, pink noses, and habit of showing up at night, opossums often alarm homeowners who assume they’re aggressive or dangerous.
But the truth?
Opossums are some of the calmest, cleanest, and most beneficial wild animals living in urban and suburban areas.
Once you understand their behavior, they become far less scary — and even a little charming.
Here’s a clear look at who opossums are, why they wander into neighborhoods, and what their behavior really means.
1. Opossums Are Incredibly Shy and Non-Aggressive
Despite their sometimes dramatic appearance, opossums want absolutely nothing to do with conflict.
They rarely bite, almost never attack, and will go out of their way to avoid danger.
Their defense style is:
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avoidance
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escape
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freezing
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bluffing
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or, famously, playing dead
They’re nature’s introverts — harmless, quiet, and wildly misunderstood.
2. “Playing Dead” Is a Real Biological Response
One of the most famous opossum behaviors is thanatosis, better known as playing dead.
This isn’t an act — it’s an involuntary response triggered when they’re extremely frightened.
A terrified opossum may:
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fall to its side
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drool
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release a foul odor
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stiffen its body
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keep its mouth open
To predators, it looks like a dead or diseased animal — not worth eating.
This defense is surprisingly effective.
3. Opossums Are Night Wanderers With Simple Goals
Opossums are nocturnal, meaning they come out at night to forage.
They spend their nights searching for:
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fruit
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insects
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slugs
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snails
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fallen food scraps
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small rodents
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eggs
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pet food left outside
They follow scent trails and cover surprisingly large distances in a single night, which is why you might see one walking along a fence or across your yard.
If an opossum shows up regularly, it’s likely because there’s an accessible food source.
4. They Are Excellent Pest Controllers
Opossums play a major ecological role that many homeowners don’t know about.
They eat:
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ticks (thousands per season!)
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cockroaches
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mice
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rats
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snakes
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spiders
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rotten fruit
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decaying waste
In many cases, having an opossum nearby actually reduces unwanted pests.
They even destroy venom from most North American snakes, which means they can safely prey on species other animals avoid.
5. Opossums Rarely Carry Rabies
Contrary to myth, opossums almost never carry rabies.
Why?
Because their body temperature is lower than most mammals, making it very hard for the virus to survive.
While all wildlife should be treated with caution, the chance of an opossum being rabid is remarkably low compared to species like raccoons or skunks.
6. Where Opossums Like to Hide and Shelter
Opossums are not burrowers — they rely on existing spaces to shelter.
Common hiding spots include:
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wood piles
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sheds or garages
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crawlspaces
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brush piles
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under decks
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abandoned burrows dug by other animals
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dense shrubbery
They don’t usually stay long. Opossums are nomadic and move frequently in search of food.
7. Opossums Are Solitary and Often Temporary Visitors
Unlike raccoons or squirrels, opossums don’t form family groups or long-term colonies.
They travel alone and rarely stay in the same place for more than a few days or weeks.
This is why homeowners sometimes see them once and then never again — they’re drifters moving through territories in a slow, steady search for food.
8. Opossum Mothers Carry Their Babies Everywhere
One of the most endearing behaviors is how opossums care for their young.
A mother will carry up to 13 tiny babies in her pouch, and when they grow bigger, they cling to her back as she walks.
It’s not uncommon to see a mother opossum with a full “backpack” of little ones — one of nature’s sweetest (and funniest) sights.
9. Why Opossums Enter Suburban Areas
Urban and suburban neighborhoods provide plenty of resources that opossums naturally gravitate toward.
Common attractants include:
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overflowing trash cans
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fallen fruit
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compost piles
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birdseed
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rodent activity
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pet food left outdoors
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water sources
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thick vegetation
When these attractants are removed, opossums typically move on naturally.
10. Opossums Are Not Destructive Animals
Unlike raccoons or squirrels, opossums don’t usually:
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dig into attics
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tear open roofs
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chew wires
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shred insulation
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rip through decks
They tend to mind their own business and cause minimal structural damage.
Most conflicts happen when they seek shelter under decks or enter garages through open doors.
11. How to Avoid Unwanted Opossum Encounters
Opossums rarely cause problems, but you can reduce visits by:
Do:
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secure garbage cans
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remove fallen fruit
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clean up spilled birdseed
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bring pet food indoors
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trim overgrown brush
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seal crawlspaces and deck gaps
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use motion-activated lights
Don’t:
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leave doors open at night
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feed wildlife
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let pets roam unsupervised
Simple housekeeping prevents most opossum activity.
Final Thoughts
Opossums may look intimidating at first glance, but they’re gentle, beneficial neighbors who quietly improve local ecosystems.
They control pests, clean up waste, and avoid conflict whenever possible.
Understanding their behavior turns nighttime encounters from something alarming into something fascinating.
When you know what opossums are looking for — food, safety, and quiet — you can keep your property comfortable for you and less appealing to them, all while appreciating one of nature’s most misunderstood visitors.a
Got Wildlife or Pests?
If you think that you have a wildlife or pest infestation problem, don't hesitate to reach out to us by calling 855-WILDLIFE or by visiting www.wildlifexteam.com for more information.
Thanks!
-Wildlife x Team International