Will possums eat cats?

The opossum will eat fresh meat or carrion and is often seen feeding on road kill. Opossums do not prey on cats or other larger mammals but will attack them if cornered, or if competing for food.

Will a possum eat newborn kittens?

Possums do not typically eat kittens. Again, it is certainly possible for a possum to kill a kitten, but this would be rare. If you are worried about your young kittens, keeping them inside at night is a good solution since possums are nocturnal creatures and are only active at night.

How far do possums travel from their home?

Opossums are nocturnal, spending the day in dens or other protected spots. However, they can be seen at any time of day, especially in winter when food is scarce. At night, opossums forage in areas near their current dens, but can travel up to 2 miles in search of food.

Do possums eat cats or kittens?

No, possums do not eat cats. They may occasionally attack a cat if they feel their young are threatened, if they are cornered (though they are more likely to play dead in these situations) or if they are competing for food.

What do possums eat in the garden?

Photo by Robert Natzke. As omnivores, opossums will police your garden, feeding on insect pests, garden slugs, rodents, toads, snakes and even dead animals that might otherwise rot in place.

Are possums aggressive?

Opossum are not aggressive: their open-mouth, defensive hissing is merely a bluff to look vicious. And if that doesn’t work they play dead when really scared! 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.

Where do possums nest?

Opossums don’t create their own nests. Instead, they take refuge in natural shelters or abandoned nests from other creatures. Logs, brush piles and hollow trees are some of the more popular spots for opossums, so remove these items from your yard.

How do I keep possums away from my property?

Strategically Use Scents. While opossums are attracted to many smells you find distasteful, there are some nasty smells that even they hate. These include ammonia and mothballs. To safely perform this kind of wildlife control, pour some ammonia or place some mothballs in a coffee can and leave it in your yard.

How do I keep possums out of my garden?

To discourage opossums from visiting your yard, stow water and food supplies, such as pet bowls and bird feeders, out of reach at night. Opossums also can be deterred with repellents, scare tactics, and a good fence. On fruit trees, place baffles on tree trunks to prevent opossums from climbing them.

Are opossums bad for your garden?

If there is an opossum in the backyard, don’t worry. But far from being a nuisance, opossums can be beneficial for your garden, eating snails, slugs, insects and sometimes even small rodents. They’ll even clean up spilled garbage and fruit that has fallen off trees.

What do you do if you find a possum in Your House?

If an opossum finds its way into your house, stay calm, close surrounding interior doors, leave the room, and let the animal find its own way out through the pet door or an open door or window. If necessary, gently use a broom to coral the opossum outside.

Is there an opossum in my backyard?

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. The best way to keep them from visiting is to have tight-fitting lids on garbage cans, not to leave any pet food outside overnight and to remember to pick up any fruit that has fallen from trees.

Where do possums live in the United States?

Found along the entire Southeastern U.S. starting at the Rocky Mountains, but also as far north as Canada and as far south as Costa Rica The Common Opossum (also known as the Southern Opossum) prefers habitats near water like tropical forests, but will also be found close to people in urban areas.

Do possums knock over garbage cans?

Opossums get a bum rap. Often seen as a pest and accused of everything from knocking over garbage cans to killing chickens, these quiet marsupials are rarely a threat and easily sent on their way. Common problems and solutions Opossums are often accused, but rarely responsible for getting into garbage cans or gardens.