Possums belong to the family of marsupials and there are more than 120 known species of possums.Possums are native to continents of America. Although there are hundreds of species of possums, only one species, called the Virginia opossum, is found most commonly in parts of the USA and Canada.Traditionally, possums were referred to as opossums, but the term possums was introduced sometime in the 17th century and since then, it has been used more. But the animal which the words possum and opossum refer to is one and the same.Today, possums are found in various habitats, mostly wooded areas and places like grasslands, forests, mangroves, shrublands, rainforests, and eucalyptus forests. Possums are nocturnal animals that hunt during the night. They do not have a very keen sense of sight, but they have a strong sense of smell and hearing. They can very easily look for food with these senses and have a very keen sense of location and direction. If they find that a certain place can provide them with a continuous food source, they can locate it and return to it again and again.One of the unique features of a possum or opossum is its defense mechanism against being threatened or attacked. Possums usually ‘play dead’, wherein they lie still and lifelessly or freeze their body when these pests feel threatened or hunted so that the predator leaves them alone. Though they are not aggressive towards humans, their bites can transmit diseases that can be lethal to humans.After reading about what possums eat, also check out the difference between opossum and possum and do opossums get rabies?What do possums eat and drink?Possums are scavengers and omnivores who can survive on almost any food source which can be eaten or is edible. Generally, possums or opossums eat small animals like frogs, snails, and slugs; insects like cockroaches and grasshoppers; birds like chickens; and small rodents like rats, mice, and hamsters.In the wild, possums are responsible for eating skeletal remains of animals and even carrion, hence they are a great help in keeping the environment clean by eating dead animals. Possums are also responsible for eating roadkill animals and keeping roads safe.Apart from this, opossums also eat plant-based foods like fruits, vegetables, various plants, and grains. As possums can also feed on table scraps and food waste, they are often found around garbage cans and cause a major pest problem while scavenging for food. Possums also hunt for various animal and bird eggs and are seen climbing trees in order to steal eggs from birds and feed on them.Another interesting fact about possums is that this species of animals is now immune to the deadliest snake venom, like the venom of the rattlesnake and pit viper. Therefore, these snakes are prey of possums and are killed by these marsupials on many occasions.Do possums eat chickens?Yes, it is very much possible that a possum can attack a coop of chickens. There have been several incidents of possums attacking chickens when these pests are hungry.Hence, it is necessary to keep coops locked and covered with a net so that possums cannot enter the nest.You can detect a possum attack by watching for clues left behind by their attacks. A possum generally kills the chicken or bird by piercing its neck and eating only particular internal organs and leaving the chicken where it was killed. Possums do not tend to carry their kill to another place to feed on it. There are several cases as well where possums have drained all of the blood from the chicken’s body.What do opossums eat in winter?As the amount of vegetation dwindles during winter, it is possible that a few opossums may leave their natural habitat in search of food. In such cases, possums may eat vegetables that are being grown in someone’s backyard, or even ransack a granary where grains are stored.Opossums can eat fruits and leaves of the eucalyptus tree in winters, as it is an evergreen tree, and flourishes even in winters. Apart from that, possums can ravage through fields of vegetables. Possums also enjoy eating sweet fruits like apples and bananas and even go for any sweet things they might be able to find in garbage cans. As an opportunistic animal, a possum also likes to feed on household pests, peanut butter, and parasitic ticks.What do possums eat in the wild?As explained above, possums or opossums can eat almost anything which is remotely edible and can be found in their habitat and environment.In the wild, possums or opossums eat wild berries, fruits, nuts, and several plants, shrubs, and flowers which make the vegetarian part of their diet. But as possums are omnivorous animals, their preferred food sources are insects, frogs, toads, snails, slugs, worms, ticks, moths, caterpillars, and centipedes. Possums do not eat cats but may attack them while competing for food.As possums or opossums are immune to various deadly venoms, they can also eat insects that are poisonous to other animals. Possums also prey on reptiles like snakes, especially venomous snakes like the rattlesnake and the pit viper, as they are immune to their venom as well.What do you feed a juvenile opossum?Baby possums are called joeys, and like other marsupials like kangaroos, they grow in their mother’s pouch. Baby opossums stay in their mother possum’s pouch for at least 80-100 days after conceiving. Newborn opossums are about the size of a honeybee and need a lot of care and protection. In their mother’s pouch they are provided with all the necessary nutrients from the milk which they drink from their mother possum.After baby possums have weaned, you can feed baby possums almost everything which adult possums can feed on. However, if you have a baby possum under your care, feed it soft food like fresh and tender leaves, soft fruits, and vegetables. Afterward, their feeding habits are like those of adult possums and they can gain access to all types of foods. Also, feeding on dead animals might help young opossums with gaining the nutrition needed for their physical growth.It is good to have opossums around in your garden as they feed on slugs, rodents, and snails as well as fallen fruit and vegetables to keep your garden clean. As a matter of fact, they like eating fruits and vegetables the most. If you are looking to attract opossums, then apples or fish are the best foods. They are also attracted to the smell of cinnamon or that of uncovered compost heaps, so you may also try that.Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly facts for everyone to enjoy! If you liked our suggestions for what do opossum eat then take a look at do opossums hibernate or do possums bite.
Possums belong to the family of marsupials and there are more than 120 known species of possums.
