Opossum Facts: Habitat and Diet

HABITAT:

• North America
• Forest, farmland, grassland, urban and suburban areas, near water
• Undefended territory from 30 to 96 acres
• Nomadic, staying in one area from six to twelve months
• Maintain a number of nesting sites
• Nest in hollows of trees or in burrows of other animals, under brush piles, under houses or decks, in garages, sheds, or attics, as long as it is a dark, cool and quiet place where the opossum can sleep during the day
• Construct rough nests of leaves and grass

DIET:

• Omnivore; scavenger; will eat almost anything; diet varies by season
• In the wild opossums eat:
  • Carrion
  • Insects
  • Small vertebrates (mice, rats and birds)
  • Fruits and berries
  • Vegetables
  • Larvae that attack gardens
  • Slugs and snails
  • Leaf material
  • Earthworms, cockroaches, beetles and centipedes
  • Snakes (Rattlesnakes and Cottonmouth); opossums are immune to venom
  • Ground eggs
  • Mushrooms
• At the Cincinnati Zoo the opossums are fed:
  • Lite Dog Chow
  • Meal worms
  • Crickets
  • A pinkie mouse (once a week)
• At the Zoo, older opossums are limited to (because of their limited exercise):
  • Lite Dog Chow
  • Fruits and vegetables
• In the winter their diet is increased to increase body bulk. Opossums at the Zoo remain outdoors during the winter. They burrow under piles of leaves and wood chips to stay warm. Opossums gain weight at the base of their tail and in the whites of their eyes. If an opossum is overweight, its eyes will appear crossed, because the excess whites have pushed the eyes sideways. Also, overweight opossums may have a very thick tail.