The Virginia opossum is the only marsupial native to North America and is primarily nocturnal. Opossums are programmed to sleep in a den during the day and forage for food at night. Seeing one active in daylight is unusual and often prompts concern, but it does not automatically signal that the animal is sick or in danger. A healthy opossum may simply be operating under circumstances that require a temporary shift in its daily routine.
Essential Foraging and Parenting Duties
A common reason a healthy opossum is active during the day relates directly to its intense caloric demands. Opossums store very little body fat, which means they must forage year-round and cannot go long without a meal. When food resources become scarce, this strong biological imperative overrides their natural inclination to stay hidden until evening.
This drive is especially pronounced for a female raising a litter of young, known as joeys. Mothers must find enough food to sustain themselves and their growing offspring, which can number up to 13. The immense energy required to support a large family pushes the mother to extend her activities into the daylight hours to secure the necessary nutrition. This daytime appearance is purely a matter of behavioral necessity.
Displaced or Seeking Shelter
Opossums are nomadic, typically using a temporary den site for only a few days before moving on. They do not build elaborate homes, instead seeking convenient shelter in abandoned burrows, hollow logs, or beneath structures like porches and sheds.
If their current den is disturbed by construction, a predator, or a homeowner, the opossum will be forced to vacate and look for a new place to rest. Relocation sometimes occurs during the day because the animal must find a safe haven immediately rather than waiting for dusk. Opossums are not strictly limited to the midnight hours. An opossum seen shortly after sunrise or just before sunset may simply be finishing a lengthy night of foraging or beginning its activities early.
Signs of Distress or Illness
While most daytime sightings are benign, an opossum out during the day may be truly ill or injured, which is why observing its behavior is important. Signs of genuine distress include visible injury, such as a limp or open wound, or behaviors indicating neurological impairment. Look for an animal that is staggering, walking in circles, or appears disoriented and unresponsive.
Other concerning signs include excessive drooling or a visible discharge around the eyes and nose. Rabies is extremely rare in opossums because their average body temperature (94 to 97 degrees Fahrenheit) is too low for the virus to thrive. While rabies is unlikely, other serious diseases are possible, and a sick opossum may display a lack of fear or unusual aggression.
What to Do When Encountering a Possum
If you see an opossum during the day and it appears to be moving purposefully without signs of injury or erratic behavior, the best course of action is passive observation. Simply leave the animal alone and allow it to continue its search for food or a resting place. You should also take precautions to remove attractants, such as securing garbage can lids and bringing pet food bowls indoors, to discourage future visits.
Intervention becomes necessary if the animal is visibly injured, bleeding, or displaying clear signs of neurological illness like circling or paralysis. Contact a local animal control agency or a licensed wildlife rehabilitator immediately. Do not attempt to touch, capture, or handle the animal yourself, as even a sick or injured animal may bite out of fear or defense.