Serving Southwest Ohio and Northern Kentucky

Opossums

The opossum is the only marsupial (pouched mammal) found north of Mexico. They are found throughout much of the United States and north into parts of southeastern Canada and have thrived despite human alterations to the landscape.

The opossum is a solitary medium-sized mammal about the size of a house cat, with long guard hairs that give their fur a very coarse appearance. Their coat color varies from light—almost white—to almost black, but usually looks gray. Opossums also have naked ears and a long, almost hairless, p tail, which can grasp and hold objects. While the tail might support the opossum's full weight for brief periods, the animal usually uses at least one foot as well as the tail when dangling from a limb. Perhaps because of their naked tails, opossums are often mistaken for rats.

When confronted, opossums sometimes display their teeth. They have more of them than any other North American mammal (50) and may even hiss. Although this appears to signal a fierce opponent, opossums are shy and inoffensive. Rather than fight, they'll sometimes slip into a state of apparent death ("playing possum"). This state of unresponsiveness can last from 1 minute or up to 2 hours before the "dead" opossum revives and moves on, once the danger has passed.

Opossums are omnivorous and consume an amazing variety of plant and animal foods. Their diet varies from insects, slugs, snails, and worms, and they're not above scavenging dead animals. They are most active at night, and they have a habit of ceaselessly moving along the ground in search of food without following trails or travel routes to places of known food sources. Adult male opossums may wander continuously. Females spend their lives in more defined areas, but still move around almost randomly.

Opossums may breed twice a year and give birth to as many as 12 young. The average female opossum probably lives only a year. The young emerge from their mother's pouch at about 1–2 months of age and then ride on their mother's back. They become independent at about three months. Excellent climbers, opossums may take shelter by day in tree dens, old squirrel nests, or nests they have built themselves above ground. They can also make homes under decks or patios, and in wood and brush piles.

Common characteristics of Opossums in our area: stay in one area if food and water are easily available. Opossums range in size from 9 to 13 pounds - 15 to 20 inches long, excluding tail. Their coloring varies from light—almost white—to almost black, but usually looks gray.

Adult mother with babies

BugBusters has fixed prices to trap and remove opossums:

$350.00 for one week

$200.00 for any additional weeks.

Prices subject to change without notice.