Expert consulted: 
This weird-looking critter with the wicked hiss probably seems scary when you catch it scurrying through your yard at night. But before you jump to conclusions about opossums based on first impressions, you might want to check out what a wildlife expert has to say about them.
According to Peter Gros, co-host of Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom Protecting the Wild, opossums—the only marsupial native to North America—have been helping keep ecosystems in balance for thousands of years.
“If you spend enough time outdoors, you start to realize that most misunderstood animals are also some of our most valuable neighbors,” Peter says. “Opossums may surprise people when they show up in the backyard, but from a wildlife expert’s perspective, I see one of nature’s hardest-working cleanup crews clocking in for the night shift.”
Opossums typically have extremely short lifespans of just 1 to 2 years because of predators like dogs and humans. They are also known for “playing possum,” or pretending to be dead, when threatened. (Strangely enough, this is an involuntary act, during which they are actually unconscious!) In other words, you’re a much bigger danger to them than they are to you.
Ahead, we’ll explore the ways opossums can be a natural benefit to your garden and answer other questions you may have about this fascinating animal.
Are opossums good to have around your yard?
If you like to keep a tidy garden, having an opossum drop by may be the next best thing to hiring groundskeepers. While you sleep, these nocturnal animals—which are only distantly related to possums from Australia—could help rid your property of everything from yard waste to insect pests that prey on your favorite posies.
“One of the things I find most beneficial about opossums is that they quietly do the work most people never notice,” Peter says. “They feed on fallen fruit, organic waste, and other decaying materials, which help reduce odors and limit the spread of disease. They’re a reminder that every animal has an important purpose in nature.”
But that’s not all these furry landscapers do to lend homeowners a helping hand, according to Peter. Along with garden detritus and debris, these opportunistic omnivores chow down on beetles, crickets, slugs, snails, and other enemies of your precious plants. When grooming themselves, they will also consume ticks, although the claim that opossums eat thousands of the parasites is a myth.
So instead of reaching for that bottle of pesticide, you might want to think about welcoming an opossum into your yard. After all, they rarely carry rabies because, as marsupials, they have a lower body temperature than most other mammals, making them resistant to the virus. They even occasionally dine on small rodents, including mice, along with other invaders you’d probably prefer not to have on your property.
“Opossums are an amazing animal with a natural resistance to snake venom due to a special protein in their body,” Peter says. “While they don’t actively hunt large snakes, they will sometimes prey on smaller venomous snakes, helping contribute to the natural balance of local wildlife.”
What to do if you see an opossum in your backyard?
There’s no reason to feel threatened or concerned if you spot an opossum on your property, Peter notes. “My advice is simple: enjoy the sighting from a distance and let the opossum go on its way,” he says. “They’re nocturnal animals that are usually just in search of food before moving on. In most cases, there’s no reason to interfere. If you have pets, bring them inside until the opossum leaves the area.”
If you have decided that you don’t want these gentle beasties in your yard, there are steps you can take to discourage them from visiting, according to Peter. He suggests securing garbage can lids, cleaning up fallen fruit, and containing compost. By removing the things that attract opossums, you can encourage them to forage elsewhere without causing them any harm.
Should you spot an injured opossum, please call a local wildlife agency, rather than trying to deal with it yourself. (This is particularly important if it’s an injured female, because she may be carrying babies in her belly pouch that are dependent on her for survival.) But in most cases, according to Peter, there should be no reason to interfere if you see an opossum in your garden.
Are opossums dangerous to dogs?
While opossums may hiss, growl, or show their teeth when they feel threatened, they are passive creatures that would not fare well in a fight with a bigger dog or cat. “Despite common misconceptions, opossums are generally nonaggressive,” Peter says. “They would much rather avoid conflict than engage in it. If a curious pet approaches one, the opossum may defend itself as a last resort.”
If you notice one trundling through your yard, secure your pets inside until the opossum has passed through the area. “Respecting their space is usually all it takes for people and pets to stay safe,” Peter says.
What attracts opossums to your house?
If you’re interested in welcoming opossums into your yard, Peter suggests working on creating a healthy habitat rather than directly feeding them, which can attract other animals and encourage dependence on humans. “Instead, think about creating a backyard that supports biodiversity,” he says. “Healthy habitats naturally impact healthy wildlife, and opossums are one of the many species that benefit from that.”
According to Peter, you’ll be rewarded with ecological benefits galore and few, if any, minor inconveniences. “Opossums are quiet, solitary animals that generally avoid conflict and play an important role in maintaining backyard ecosystems,” he says.
Peter Gros is a veteran wildlife expert and educator. As the co-host of the Emmy® nominated series Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom Protecting the Wild and its companion podcast, Gros shares conservation success stories and brings a message of hope to motivate audiences to take action in protecting wildlife and their habitats. Gros joined the original Wild Kingdom team in 1985 and has experienced many adventures from scuba diving with whales and sharks, to snowshoeing to track wolverines, to training to survive an avalanche and plane crash. He has nearly 30 years of field experience with captive wildlife, establishing breeding programs for endangered animals and rehabilitation programs for birds of prey. As a USDA licensed exhibition exhibitor and animal educator, Gros shares his experiences as a lecturer throughout the United States. He also serves on the Board of Directors of the Suisun Marsh Natural History Association and is a trustee for the Cheetah Conservation Fund.
