Despite its rat-like tail, opossums are marsupials rather than rodents. These adaptable mammals live in a variety of habitats. If your yard has food, water and shelter, an opossum probably lives there. Pet foods, birdfeeders and attic openings especially are attractive to these nocturnal creatures.
Opossums typically are not aggressive and don’t pose much of a threat to people or pets. However, when provoked, they often hiss and “grin” to show their 50 teeth - more teeth than any other North American animal! A scared opossum may also act dead or “play ’possum.” Since opossums cannot run fast, they are common road kill.
Wild Facts is a regular feature written by Linda May, environmental outreach coordinator with the Georgia DNR Wildlife Resources Division.
