The opossum is North America’s sole native marsupial. This animal possesses a remarkable ability to adapt its lifestyle and habits to nearly any available setting, making it one of the most geographically successful mammals in the Western Hemisphere. Their presence spans a vast territory, navigating landscapes from dense woodlands to developed residential areas. This widespread distribution is a direct result of the species’ flexible approach to shelter and sustenance.
Broad Geographic Distribution
The range of the Virginia Opossum (Didelphis virginiana), the species found in North America, extends far beyond its namesake. Its distribution stretches from the tropical regions of Central America, including countries like Costa Rica and Mexico, northward across the entire eastern portion of the United States. They are generally found across the continent east of the Rocky Mountains, though populations have successfully been introduced along the Pacific Coast. Their continuing northern expansion has pushed their boundaries into southern Canada, reaching as far as Ontario and British Columbia. This movement is partially facilitated by their ability to leverage resources provided by human settlements, though their tropical origins mean survival in the north is often limited by deep snow and frostbite, which affects their sparsely-furred ears and tails.
Natural Habitat Preferences
In undeveloped areas, opossums show a distinct preference for environments that offer both cover and a reliable water source. They are frequently found in wooded areas, particularly those adjacent to streams, swamps, or marshes, selecting these damp locations for the abundant food and shelter they provide. They spend time both on the ground and climbing trees, utilizing their prehensile tail for assistance. For daytime rest, opossums are opportunistic in their choice of den, rarely building their own structure. They seek out existing, concealed spaces, including natural cavities such as hollow logs, rock crevices, dense brush piles, or abandoned dens created by other animals.
Successful Urban and Suburban Living
The adaptability of the opossum is most apparent in its ability to integrate into human-dominated environments, making this species a common sight in suburban neighborhoods and city parks. They exploit numerous ready-made denning sites provided by human structures, which offer reliable protection from weather and predators. Opossums frequently take shelter under porches, decks, sheds, crawlspaces, garages, and even attics. Their success is tied to the consistent availability of food resources generated by human activity. They scavenge widely, relying on spilled bird seed, exposed pet food, unsecured garbage cans, and food from gardens and fruit trees.
Nocturnal Habits and Diet
The opossum’s lifestyle is defined by its nocturnal nature, which helps it inhabit diverse locations while avoiding conflicts with humans and predators. Foraging begins around dusk, using the cover of darkness and relying on a highly developed sense of smell rather than poor eyesight. Their diet is broadly omnivorous and highly flexible, allowing them to consume practically anything they encounter. A typical meal includes insects, snails, earthworms, small rodents, and eggs, alongside plant matter like berries and grains. This versatile diet makes them efficient scavengers, routinely feeding on carrion and food waste, serving as a natural clean-up crew in all ecosystems.