Opossum
Facts
 Opossums
are among the most primitive
mammals. Fossil ancestry goes
back 70 Million years. They
have survived by adapting to
human habitat and being able
to eat just about anything.
They are beneficial in that
they help to keep the balance
of nature.
Opossums are often mistaken
for rats. They are not rodents,
they are marsupials. They are
not aggressive toward humans
or pets but they will attempt
to defend themselves if cornered.
They are relatively disease
free. They do not carry Parvo
virus, distemper or rabies.
They are actually an excellent
animal to have around your property
because they eat rats, mice,
snails, slugs and insects. They
also eat over ripe fruit that
has fallen to the ground. They
are called "omnivores"
because they meat as well as
vegetables and fruit.
Opossums are nest builders.
They are also nocturnal. They
spend much of the day in their
dens. At night, they forage
for food. They are excellent
climbers using all their hands,
feet and tail to grasp.
If you don't want
opossums around your house:
- Pick up all pet food
- Keep a tight lid on all
garbage cans
- Pick fruit as soon as it
is ripe or pick it up soon
after it falls to the ground
- Block holes in fences and
buildings with wire or wood
- Soak rags in ammonia and
strategically place them around
the area you are trying to
keep opossums from entering.
The smell of ammonia is annoying
to opossum and will usually
drive them away.
Adult Opossum Containment
- Put a box or laundry basket
over the opossum and weigh
down the box with a brick
or rock.
- Call Project Wildlife or
page the opossum team at
760-926-0478.
Baby Opossum Containment
- Put the baby (or babies)
in box with air holes
- Place a heating pad set
on "low" beneath
the box
- Place an old t-shirt in
the box to give the babies
something to snuggle under
- Do not give anything by
mouth, this can cause death
- Call Project Wildlife or
page the opossum team at
760-926-0478
If you are unable to contact
the Opossum team, call
619-225-9202
to find a volunteer near you
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to Wildlife Facts |
