Virginia Opossum

Identification

The Virginia opossum is a solitary nocturnal animal about the size of a domestic cat. Adults measure 33–55 cm (13–22 in) from snout to tail base, with tails adding another 25–54 cm (9.8–21.3 in). Males average 40.8 cm body length and weigh 2.1–2.8 kg (4.6–6.2 lb); females are slightly smaller at 40.6 cm and 1.9–2.1 kg (4.2–4.6 lb). Their distinctive appearance features a dull grayish-brown coat contrasting sharply with a white face, long hairless prehensile tail, hairless ears, and an elongated flat nose. Look for their characteristic opposable, clawless thumbs on the hind limbs. With 50 teeth—more than any other North American land mammal—and 13 nipples arranged in a circle with one central nipple, opossums are unmistakably unique marsupials. Their distinctive tracks show five finger-like toes with the hind thumb printing at an extreme angle (90° or greater) to the other digits.

Larger specimens occur in northern populations, while tropical individuals are noticeably smaller. Opossums have 10 upper incisors—far more than the maximum 6 found in other North American mammals. Their prehensile tails can grasp branches and carry small objects, a valuable adaptation for their arboreal tendencies.

Range & Habitat

Once found only as far north as Maryland and the Ohio Valley, Virginia opossums now range from southern Ontario and Maine south through Central America to Costa Rica, making them the world's northernmost marsupials. Their ancestors evolved in South America but entered North America approximately 0.8 million years ago following the formation of the Isthmus of Panama. Since 1900, they have dramatically expanded northeastward, northwestward, and northward, now occupying most of New England, the Great Lakes region, and spreading into British Columbia. Clearing of dense forests by European settlers and elimination of their main predators facilitated this expansion.

Opossums thrive in settled areas near human food sources—trash cans, pet food, compost piles, and gardens. They frequently inhabit the Pacific coast, where they were intentionally introduced during the Great Depression. Small populations also occur in parts of Arizona and New Mexico. As opossums are not adapted to heavy snow or extremely cold winters, population viability in northern regions depends on winter severity.

Behaviour & Diet

Virginia opossums are successful opportunists and solitary nocturnal feeders. Their slow, deliberate movements and attraction to roadside carrion make them more prone to becoming roadkill than other animals in their range. They are frequent visitors to human settlements, where they scavenge available food sources including garbage, pet food, compost, and garden produce. This opportunistic feeding strategy and their nocturnal habits make them well-suited to coexisting with humans.

Best Time & Places to See It

Look for opossums after dark, particularly in suburban and settled areas with accessible food sources. Search near trash cans, pet food stations, compost piles, and gardens. Spring and summer months offer the best viewing opportunities in northern parts of their expanded range. Areas such as southern Ontario, New England, and the Great Lakes region have seen regular opossum populations in recent decades. Check roadsides and areas with brush cover at night using a headlamp or flashlight.

Photography Tips

Photograph opossums at night using available light or a headlamp to avoid startling them. Their distinctive white face and prehensile tail make compelling subjects. Focus on capturing their characteristic track patterns in soft substrates like mud—the unusual 90° angle of the hind thumb print creates a distinctive identifier. Patience is essential; allow opossums to continue their natural feeding behavior. Wide-angle shots showing them in their urban habitat context can illustrate their successful adaptation to human environments. The contrast between their white face and grayish-brown body provides natural compositional interest.