Description: Opossums (most people call them possums) are quite distinctive looking. This mammal is cat sized, with grey fur, small black eyes, white face, pointy snout (nose) and a long tail (minimal fur). These mammals have small black ears that, like their tail, have limited amounts of fur.
What kind of possums live in Ontario?
Virginia opossum
The Virginia opossum (Didelphis virginiana) is Canada’s only marsupial. It belongs to one of three marsupial families native to the Americas. The Virginia opossum’s northernmost range reaches into Southern and Southeastern Ontario, Southern Quebec and the lower Fraser Valley in British Columbia.
Do we have possums or opossums in Ontario?
Opossums in Ontario are at the northern extremity of their North American range. They can occupy a variety of habitats, including agricultural habitat and edges, woodlands and escarpments, but their preferred habitat is deciduous forests associated with wet areas such as streams, swamps and marshes.
How can you tell if you have a possum?
5 Signs of an Opossum Infestation in Your Home
- Opossum Damage: Damage to the Building Exterior. Because opossums usually enter a building by climbing, you may notice exterior damage first.
- Disappearing Pet Food.
- Frequent Animal Vocalizations.
- Loud Scratching Noises.
- Pervasive Unpleasant Smells.
Should I be worried about a possum in my yard?
If there is an opossum in the backyard, don’t worry. They aren’t a threat, and more than likely they will be moving on in a short while.
Do possums keep rats away?
Opossums also keep rats and cockroaches at bay by competing with them for food. In fact, it’s common for opossums to kill cockroaches and rats if they find them in their territory.” Not only do they take care of pests, they do so without spreading disease to humans.
What attracts possums in your backyard?
Possums will be attracted to your yard if they can easily find a source of food in it. This source can be pet food that is stored outside, unsealed trash cans, or even fruit that has fallen to the ground from your fruit trees.
How do you tell if it’s a possum or a rat?
An adult possum is much larger than a rat, reaching about 30 cm to 35 cm in length. The coat colour is quite variable, the ears are short with a white patch behind, and the prehensile (gripping) tail has a white tip.
Is a possum just a big rat?
Although often described as “large rats”, opossums (Didelphis virginiana) are not rodents, but marsupials (relative of the kangaroo). They are the only marsupial in North America. Adult opossums are about the size of a cat and can weigh between four and fourteen pounds.
How do I know if its a rat or opossum?
Rats have long hairless tail, while possums have long hairy tail with a bushy appearance. Usually, possums are nocturnal, but rats are both nocturnal and diurnal. Rats are always omnivorous, whereas possums are usually herbivores and opportunistic omnivores.
What attracts possums to your house?
If it is a dark place, the nocturnal opossum might be interested in it. Pet Food And Water: If you leave pet food and water outside, it could attract opossums. They are especially attracted to cat food. If you notice that your animal’s full food bowl is empty in the morning, you may have opossums.
Are possums good to have around your house?
Opossums are omnivorous and are beneficial to humans because they cause very little damage and they consume undesirable insects, snails, and slugs. The many beneficial qualities of opossums include: Keeping neighborhoods clear of unwanted pests like cockroaches, rats, and mice.
What to do if a possum is in your yard?
Leave the opossum alone and enjoy watching wildlife in your own backyard. However, if the opossum is injured or an orphan (less than 7 inches from nose to rump) then contact the Opossum Society of the United States, a local wildlife rehabilitator, a veterinarian, or your local animal shelter for help.
Do possums invade homes?
Any wildlife invading the roof, including opossums, can cause damage to the structure of your house. Opossums are known to invade man-made buildings for a variety of reasons, such as shelter and food. If you have discovered an opossum living in your roof, take the necessary precautions to get rid of the animal.
Should I remove possums from my yard?
Like any pest, you will want to remove the possums from your home or yard. However, there are ways of doing so without killing or harming the animals.
Will possums bite you?
Do Opossums Bite? Just like any scared animal, it’s possible for opossums to bite in defense. If they feel cornered or threatened, opossums will use several escape strategies ranging from playing dead to hissing. Biting is rare, but people should avoid contact with all wild animals to eliminate the risk.
Will possums keep snakes away?
If you happen to live in an area that has rattlesnakes or copperheads, you might find that a possum can actually help keep your family safe by keeping poisonous snakes away from your children.
What smells will deter possums?
Smells that possums hate
- Mothballs.
- Camphor.
- Garlic.
- Onion.
- Animal-derived fertilisers*
- Fish smell.
What predator kills possums?
They are killed by dogs, coyotes, foxes, raccoons, bobcats, eagles, hawks, and owls, with young opossums being the most vulnerable. Car kills in the fall and in winter conditions account for many opossum deaths.
What is possums favorite food?
Opossums eat insects, snails and slugs. Opossums are also partial to overripe, fallen fruit on the ground. Opossums aren’t the only animals that will be attracted to your food source, other nocturnal animals will become familiar with the goodies to be found at your place.
What time do possums come out at night?
Opossums are awake and grooming between 6:00 PM and 8:00 AM, with most types of other activities occurring between 10:00 PM and 8:00 AM. The opossums spend the rest of the day, 8:00 AM through 6:00 PM, resting or sleeping.