Content updated: September 16, 2026

Key takeaways

  • Opossums are marsupials, a group of mammals whose young develop in their mother's pouch after birth.
  • Opossums may have originated in South America, and they are the only marsupials that live in North America north of Mexico.
  • An opossum is a North American marsupial with a white face, light gray body, and long, hairless tail, while the Australian possum has dark gray, gold, or black fur and a short, furry tail.
  • Opossums are typically non-aggressive and may snarl or play dead when threatened, although they may bite in some circumstances.
  • Opossums can carry diseases such as leptospirosis and toxoplasmosis and may also host parasites including fleas, ticks, mites, and lice.

Jump to section:

Opossums are common in forests, fields, and pastures, but they may also seek shelter in protected areas of homes. These distinctive mammals have several traits and behaviors that set them apart from other wildlife. Learn whether opossums are marsupials, the difference between a possum and an opossum, and the diseases opossums may carry.

Are Opossums Marsupials?

Yes, opossums are marsupials. Marsupials are mammals and are unique in that they’re the only species to have a pouch on their abdomens. After birth, the young of opossums live in the pouch for about two months and production of several litters occurs between January and July. Other marsupials include koalas, kangaroos and wombats. Out of all the marsupials, opossums are the only ones to reside in North America north of Mexico. The others are most often found in Australia and South America.

Opossums are not rodents. Rodents are distinguished by the pair of incisors in their top and bottom jaw. Opossums lack this feature and instead have 50 teeth between their two jaws.

Where Did Opossums Originate?

Although marsupials are primarily found in Australia, they did not originate there. Rather, by examining marsupial genes and studying their history, researchers discovered that opossums may have originated from South America. But, how would they have migrated to other continents? This dates back billions of years when South America, Antarctica, Australia, and other areas were part of one larger landmass. Over time, this mass broke off to form some of the separate continents with which we are familiar today, thus, geographically distributing marsupials, such as opossums.

What is the Difference Between a Possum and an Opossum?

Believe it or not, there is a difference between an opossum and a possum. An opossum refers to the marsupial seen in North America. These mammals have a white face, light grey body, and long, hairless tail. On the other hand, a possum refers to the "common brushtail possum" marsupials that live primarily in Australia. Possums have dark grey, gold or black colored fur and somewhat resemble chinchillas with short, furry tails. Both possums and opossums are marsupials. Besides their differences in appearance, both animals share these same biological traits. This includes their diet and habits, like “playing dead”.

Are Opossums Friendly Or Harmful?

Opossums are typically non-aggressive and may snarl and/or “play dead” when threatened (instead of attacking). Playing dead is a survival technique resulting in a nervous shock reaction causing the opossum to roll onto its side, close its eyes and slow its heartbeat. In some cases, a predator will leave the opossum alone if it believes the opossum is dead. Opossums are not usually aggressive animals, but there’s no guarantee that they won’t bite, depending on the circumstances. Opossums are omnivores and will eat a variety of foods including, but not limited to: insects, reptiles, rodents, garbage, cat/dog food, etc. However, in a residential setting, opossums may cause issues of concern to homeowners, e.g., sheltering in attics of homes, turning over garbage cans in search of food. If necessary, a wildlife professional can be contacted to help identify potentially remove opossums from your home. In some cases, sealing up entryways and removal of potential food sources can help exclude opossums from areas.

Can Opossums Carry Diseases?

Opossums can be hosts for a variety of diseases such as leptospirosis (bacteria spread via urine) and toxoplasmosis (parasite spread via feces or ingesting of improperly cooked meat), among others. Opossums may also host fleas, ticks, mites, and lice, which can impact the health of humans and domestic animals, such as dogs and cats.

How Can Opossums be Removed From the Home Environment?

If you believe an opossum may be inside of your house, consider calling Terminix®. Our trained technicians have knowledge of wildlife biology and experience dealing with pests, including opossums. Terminix® technicians can help determine what wildlife may be living in or near your home and how to proceed with getting life back to normal.

 

GET WILDLIFE CONTROL