Opossums Removal and Facts

The opossum (Didelphis virginiana) is mammal about the size of a house cat (4 - 14 lbs). It has moderately long fur that ranges in color from white to dark gray and is frequently darker on the legs and lighter on the back. Its face is long and pointed with dark, rounded, paper-thin, hairless ears. Opossums have 50 teeth, more than any other North American mammal. The tail is hairless, scaly, and prehensile. They have five toes on each foot, and the inside toe on the hind foot is opposable. Opossums have expanded their range to include all of California.

BIOLOGY

Opossums are the only marsupials (pouched mammals) in North America. They breed from January through November and produce two litters per year. The undeveloped young are born 13 days after mating. They crawl to the female pouch (marsupium) and attach themselves to one of the 7 - 13 teats. Development continues in the pouch for 7 - 8 weeks. Young opossums will stay with the female until they are weaned at about 4 months-of-age. Except for females with young, opossums are solitary animals. Opossums are omnivores and eat a wide variety of foods including fruits, vegetables, nuts, meat, eggs, insects, carrion, pet food, and garbage. They are found in many different habitats from woodlands to highly developed residential areas. In urban areas, they have been found living in attics, garages, chimneys, woodpiles, under houses or decks, or in any place that offers protection. Although they are very common in urban areas, opossums are not often seen due to their nocturnal habits.

DAMAGE

Opossums become a nuisance when they move into urban areas. When they live in or near inhabited buildings, the animals smelly nesting habits and discharge of anal fluids cause offensive odors. Opossums can damage buildings by pushing in screened vents or window screens, scattering insulation, and chewing electrical wiring. They frequently get into garbage and may injure pets or expose them to disease in disputes over pet food. Opossums prey on wild birds and are capable of eliminating local populations of some species.

DISEASE

Opossums are carriers of many diseases: tuberculosis, relapsing fever, herpes virus, tularemia, salmonella, spotted fever, toxoplasmosis, coccidiosis, trichomoniasis, Chagas Disease, yellow fever, and rabies (rarely). They are important reservoirs for leptospirosis (hemorrhagic jaundice) in wildlife and humans. Leptospirosis is transmitted through the urine and feces of infected animals. Humans frequently pick up the disease by eating unwashed produce or windfall fruit or by putting unwashed hands to their mouth (gum, cigarettes, etc.). Opossums are also heavily infested with fleas, ticks, mites, and lice which are known carriers and transmitters of disease.

LAWS AND REGULATIONS

Opossums are not native to California. They are not threatened or endangered nor are they classified as game animals or furbearers. It is a violation of California state law for any wildlife to be kept as pets. Only authorized wildlife rehabilitators may keep injured or orphaned wildlife and then only for limited periods of time.