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Worcester Pest Identification: Opossums

The opossum, particularly the Virginia opossum, is a successful scavenger known for its adaptability and strong immune system. When threatened, opossums involuntarily “play possum,” mimicking the appearance and smell of a dead or sick animal as a defense mechanism. This response includes drawn-back lips, bared teeth, foaming saliva, and secretion of a foul-smelling fluid from anal glands.

Commonly misunderstood, injured opossums are often mistaken for dead. The best approach when finding an opossum in this state is to leave it in a quiet place with an exit path, allowing it to regain consciousness and leave on its own.

Virginia opossums are found in Central America, the eastern half of the U.S., and parts of the west coast. They prefer deciduous woodlands with water sources but are adaptable to various habitats, including urban areas. Opossums don't build their own dens, instead using structures like hollow logs or man-made spaces.

As opportunistic omnivores, their diet includes carrion, small vertebrates, amphibians, insects, garbage, eggs, persimmons, and fruits. They are nocturnal and less active in winter, living solitary lives except during breeding.

Breeding occurs between January and October, producing up to two litters of 4-8 joeys each. The gestation period is about 13 days, with joeys spending around 50 days in the mother's pouch before moving to her back and becoming independent after about 100 days.

Opossums hiss and show teeth as a primary defense. If this fails, they play dead. They are skilled climbers and swimmers, with opposable rear thumbs and long tails aiding in climbing.

Signs of opossum presence include pilfered trash cans, raided chicken coops, droppings, torn insulation, and distinctive tracks.

Opossums are unlikely to carry rabies due to their low body temperature. They have the most teeth of any North American mammal and are the only marsupials in the U.S. Opossum history dates back to the time of dinosaur extinction. The term “possum” technically refers to Australian marsupials, not the American opossum.

If you think you might have a problem with opossums, please contact the licensed PAC experts at Ford's Hometown Services who use professional-grade opossum control solutions and traps for opossum removal.

Remember that by law, you cannot trap, remove or relocate a wild animal from your property to another. It requires skilled assistance from licensed PAC (Problem Animal Control) professionals.

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