What Do Possums Like To Eat

Have you ever spotted a ghostly white creature lurking in your backyard under the cover of night? Chances are, it was a possum! These nocturnal marsupials are common across North America, and while they might look a little intimidating, they play a vital role in our ecosystems. From consuming pesky insects to cleaning up fallen fruit, possums are surprisingly helpful neighbors. But what exactly fuels these nighttime wanderers?

Understanding the diet of possums is important for several reasons. Firstly, it helps us appreciate their ecological role and how they contribute to a healthy environment. Secondly, knowing what they eat can help us avoid inadvertently attracting them to our properties, preventing potential conflicts. Finally, and perhaps most importantly, it allows us to ensure that any possums we encounter are thriving and not struggling to find food, especially in urban environments where natural resources are scarce.

What Do Possums Really Eat?

Besides insects and rodents, what else do possums eat?

Possums are opportunistic omnivores with a highly varied diet. In addition to insects and rodents, they consume a wide range of fruits, berries, nuts, seeds, grains, eggs, snails, slugs, frogs, small birds, carrion, and even garbage when available.

Possums are essentially nature's garbage disposal. Their diverse palate allows them to thrive in various environments, from forests and woodlands to suburban and even urban areas. While they may have preferences, they aren't particularly picky eaters and will readily consume whatever is available, making them adaptable survivors. Their scavenging nature also means they play a crucial role in controlling populations of unwanted pests like snails and slugs, and cleaning up decaying matter. Interestingly, possums have a high calcium need, and they will actively seek out sources of calcium in their diets. This can explain their interest in bones, eggshells, and even roadkill that contains bones. Possums are also attracted to pet food left outside, and unsecured garbage cans, because they will eat what they find there.

Do possums eat pet food if it's available?

Yes, possums will readily eat pet food if it is easily accessible. They are opportunistic omnivores with a varied diet and are not picky eaters, making unattended bowls of cat or dog food a tempting and convenient food source.

Possums are primarily nocturnal scavengers, meaning they actively search for food at night. While their natural diet consists of insects, fruits, nuts, eggs, small animals, and carrion, they are quick to adapt to readily available food sources in urban and suburban environments. Pet food represents an easy meal requiring minimal effort, especially if left outside overnight. This behavior can quickly lead to possums becoming regular visitors to your property.

The appeal of pet food to possums is driven by its palatability and high caloric content. Dry kibble and wet food both provide essential nutrients and energy that possums need to survive, particularly during colder months when natural food sources are scarce. Furthermore, if a possum discovers a consistent source of pet food, it will often return repeatedly, and may even establish a territory nearby. This can create problems such as unwanted wildlife interactions, messes around your property, and potential health concerns for your pets.

Are there any poisonous plants that possums can safely eat?

While possums are generally opportunistic omnivores with a fairly high tolerance for some toxins, it is not accurate to say they "safely eat" poisonous plants. Possums are known to occasionally sample small quantities of plants that are toxic to other animals. This is thought to provide them with a natural boost to their immune system. However, there are plants that are toxic enough to hurt or kill a possum.

Possums have a diverse diet and often consume a variety of foods, including fruits, vegetables, insects, eggs, and even carrion. Their broad diet means they encounter a wide range of plant life, some of which may contain toxic compounds. While possums may nibble on poisonous plants, it doesn't mean these are a preferred or staple part of their diet. Their consumption is more likely driven by curiosity or a lack of other available food sources. A possum's ability to tolerate these toxins comes from its physiology. However, the amount of a particular poison, the age of the possum, and other factors can dictate the outcome. Possums aren't immune to all poisonous plants, and consuming large quantities of even mildly toxic plants can still cause health problems. Homeowners trying to deter possums from their gardens should focus on deterrents rather than relying on poisonous plants, as this could unintentionally harm other wildlife or even pets. If you suspect a possum has ingested a poisonous plant and is showing signs of illness, it's best to contact a wildlife rehabilitator or veterinarian.

Do possums eat fruits and vegetables from gardens?

Yes, possums are opportunistic omnivores and will readily consume fruits and vegetables from gardens if available. They are particularly attracted to ripe or overripe produce, and can cause significant damage to plants.

Possums have a highly varied diet, adapting to whatever food sources are easily accessible. While they naturally forage for insects, snails, rodents, and carrion in the wild, the readily available and often abundant food source presented by a garden is highly appealing. Common garden targets include tomatoes, berries, melons, leafy greens, and corn. They can also strip bark from trees in search of sap or insects underneath. Because possums are nocturnal, their garden raids often go unnoticed until the damage is already done. You might find partially eaten fruits, chewed leaves, or overturned plants as evidence of their presence. Protecting your garden from possums requires a multi-pronged approach, including physical barriers such as fencing or netting, and the removal of other potential food sources that might attract them to your property in the first place, such as pet food left outdoors.

Do possums have a preference between meat and vegetation?

Possums are opportunistic omnivores and generally do not exhibit a strong preference between meat and vegetation. Their diet is highly adaptable and varies depending on what's readily available in their environment, encompassing a wide range of both plant and animal matter.

Possums are not particularly picky eaters, which allows them to thrive in diverse environments, including urban and suburban areas. While they will readily consume fruits, berries, nuts, and grains, they also actively seek out insects, snails, eggs, rodents, and even carrion. This scavenging behavior makes them beneficial in controlling certain pest populations and helping to clean up decaying matter. The specific composition of a possum's diet at any given time is more likely dictated by seasonal availability and ease of access rather than a fixed preference. The opportunistic nature of a possum's diet is key to its survival. They are not specialized hunters or herbivores, but rather adaptable generalists. This dietary flexibility allows them to exploit a wide variety of food sources, ensuring they can find sustenance even when specific resources are scarce. For example, during the fall, they might focus more on fruits and nuts to build up fat reserves for the winter, while in the spring and summer, they might consume more insects and small animals as these become more abundant.

How does a possum's diet change based on the season?

A possum's diet is highly opportunistic and changes significantly with the seasons, reflecting the availability of different food sources. They are omnivores, so their intake shifts from primarily insects, fruits, and vegetation in the warmer months to a greater reliance on scavenging, carrion, and whatever limited plant matter is accessible during the colder months.

Possums are remarkably adaptable eaters, and their seasonal diet is a key factor in their survival. During spring and summer, when insects are abundant, they consume large quantities of beetles, grasshoppers, crickets, and other invertebrates, providing them with protein and energy for breeding and raising their young. Fruits like berries, apples, and persimmons also become a significant part of their diet as they ripen. They will also eat eggs and young birds if the opportunity arises. As autumn approaches and insect populations dwindle, their focus shifts to fallen fruits, nuts, and grains. Winter presents the greatest challenge. With fewer fresh food sources available, possums rely more heavily on scavenging for scraps in urban areas. They will eat carrion (dead animals), garbage, and pet food left outside. Their ability to lower their metabolic rate somewhat helps them conserve energy during these lean times. Even though they can't hibernate, they may become less active to conserve energy. The seasonal shift in diet highlights the possum's adaptability and its role as an opportunistic consumer in various ecosystems.

Do possums eat carrion or dead animals?

Yes, possums are opportunistic omnivores and will readily consume carrion, or dead animals, as part of their diet. This scavenging behavior provides them with a valuable source of protein and nutrients, particularly when other food sources are scarce.

Possums are not picky eaters and their diet reflects their adaptability to a wide range of environments. While they prefer fresh food sources like fruits, insects, and small animals, they won't hesitate to take advantage of readily available carrion. This includes roadkill, deceased animals found in the wild, and even discarded meat scraps. By consuming carrion, possums play a role in cleaning up the environment and preventing the spread of disease. However, it's important to note that consuming rotting meat can also expose possums to certain bacteria and parasites. Their diverse diet also includes things like: In essence, possums are survivors, and their willingness to eat carrion is a testament to their adaptability and resourcefulness in navigating a variety of habitats and food availability challenges.

So, there you have it – a possum's diet is surprisingly varied! From fruits and veggies to insects and even the occasional scavenged meal, they're not picky eaters. Thanks for reading, and we hope this answered all your questions about what these fascinating creatures like to munch on. Come back soon for more fun facts about the amazing animals around us!