Scouting Beaver        Scouting Bobcat        Scouting Coyote        Scouting Fisher        Scouting Grey Fox

Scouting Mink        Scouting Muskrat        Scouting Opossum        Scouting Otter        Scouting Pine Marten

Scouting Raccoon        Scouting Red Fox        Scouting Skunk        Scouting Weasel

 

Opossum (Didelphis Virginians)

The opossum is about the size of a fat house cat. Resembling a large, shaggy, cream-to-gray colored rat with a pointed snout full of teeth, this animal can reach lengths (including tail) of 35-40" and weights to about 10 Ibs. With sparse, course, white guard hairs over black-tipped creamy underFur, the opossum has a light- to dark-gray body with black legs. The ears and tail are naked, and both are black at the base and lighter at the tips.

Reproduction

Opossum breed during the spring and summer, producing one or two litters each year. The young are bom after about two week’s gestation, and up to 18 may enter the female's pouch (the opossum is the only North American marsupial). Generally only 7 to 8 young survive to leave the pouch about two months later.

Habitat

Opossum are found in brush, hedgerows, and orchards. Woodland edges, croplands, bottomlands, and even buildings are also likely areas. Dens are most often located in hollow trees, fallen logs, or burrows abandoned by woodchucks or skunks.

Habits

These rather primitive animals are mainly nocturnal. They are likely to feed on nearly anything, animal or vegetable, fresh or rotten. Opossum are not at all trap shy and may be taken in most any kind of set. Having relatively small brains dominated by the ol factory (smell) regions, they are easily attracted by sweet or foul odors. Rather slow of foot and unwary, opossum often employ threats or play dead to avoid predation. Their tracks resemble many tiny, overlapping hand prints with a central drag mark made by the tail. The scats are variable, depending upon the type of food being eaten. Opossum tend to remain in a relatively restricted area.

Trapping Tactics

Very few trappers actually set traps for opossum. Most are taken in sets made for more valuable species, particularly fox, raccoon, or mink. Dirthole sets and cubby sets are among the more effective opossum catchers.

Most trappers prefer size 1 or 1 1/2 traps for opossum. Medium sized body gripping traps are effective where catching domestic animals is not a danger. Since opossum are not trap shy, they can be trapped effectively using box traps. As with most furbearers, opossum pelts must be well handled to be worth showing to a fur buyer. Opossum pelts are at their best from about November to March.

Baits and Lures

Nearly any bait or lure will attract opossum. Poultry entrails and tainted baits (e.g. rotting fish, meat, or eggs, or rank cheese) are all quite effective. Using expensive or elaborate baits or lures in trapping opossum is unnecessary.