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THE OPOSSUM
No matter where you live in South Florida, the opossum is there. Despite its rat-like appearance, it is not a
rodent. This non-aggressive marsupial has survived since the time of the dinosaurs and can adjust to living just
about anywhere. As long as it can find the necessities of life (water, food, shelter) it will be happy. The more
common den sites are under wood piles, decks, and mobile homes.
The adult opossum is the size of a cat and is light gray to black in color. It has a pink nose, feet and rat-like tail
with black ears and a pointed snout. The opossum's life span in the wild is about 2 years. Although the opossum
has the most teeth of any land mammal, it does not chew wood. It does, however, tend to drool.
Many people who see an opossum that is drooling mistakenly think it has rabies. This is not the case. Statistics
indicate that there has not been a case of rabies in opossums in South Florida since rabies statistics have been
kept. In general, an opossum presents a far lower health risk to humans than do dogs an cats as it has a natural
high level of immunity to most diseases. An opossum does, however, carry fleas as do all wild animals and some
domestic animals. Also, an opossum may bite if it perceives a threat to it well being, such as being grabbed or
petted.
The opossum is very beneficial as a rodent and carrion eater. Besides eating all types of dead animals, it eats a
variety of food including over-ripe fruit, grapes, berries, insects such as cockroaches, crickets, beetles, slugs,
snails, etc.; mice, rats, and roof rats; snakes, lizards and eggs. It also cleans up uneaten food that would
normally attract rats. An opossum will eat side by side with a cat out of a dish of cat food that is left outside, and
it will consider that cat food a gourmet meal; however, this is not recommended.
Opossums are rarely seen together, and except for breeding season or a female with her babies, it is a solitary
animal. It fights only if attacked, surprised or cornered, but prefers to run away or 'play possum,' which is said
to be an involuntary reaction to danger. An opossum will hiss or growl and show it's sharp teeth when
frightened.
The opossum mating season is from January to July. Females have litters up to twice a year. Litter size can be
as many as 22, but only 12 can survive. The average litter is 5-9. Newborn opossums are ½ inch long and
weigh .0050 of an ounce. At one week, the weigh .05 of an ounce. At 36 days, whiskers start to appear, and
body hair becomes visible at 45 days. By the time they are 60-70 days old, they can weigh an ounce any may
start to leave the pouch.
At 75-85 days, they are weaned and rarely go into the pouch. They also start looking for their own food. At
90-120 days, they are hunting on their own but still may live in the same den with their mother until they find their
own. Very few young opossums survive into adulthood.
It is not necessary to relocate an opossum that you see in your yard. The opossum is not dangerous
to you or your pets if left alone. While any warm blooded mammal can carry rabies, it is highly unlikely that a
opossum will. The best thing for the opossum is to be left in it's own territory where
it can find food and knows where there is a safe shelter. In many cases, the opossum will move to a more
