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Opossum Overview

Last Updated: February 04, 2008 | Related resource areas: Wildlife Damage Management

Opossums | Opossum Overview | Opossum Damage Assessment | Opossum Damage Management | Opossum Acknowledgements | Opossum Resources | ICWDM | Wildlife Species Information



Opossum, Didelphis virginiana
Opossum, Didelphis virginiana


Opossums are omnivorous and occasionally eat fish, crustaceans, insects, mushrooms, fruits, vegetables, eggs, and carrion. They will also raid poultry houses. The opossum usually kills one chicken at a time, often mauling the victim (Burkholder 1955). Eggs will be mashed and messy, the shells often chewed into small pieces and left in the nest. Opossums usually begin feeding on poultry at the cloacal opening. Young poultry or game birds are consumed entirely and only a few wet feathers left.

Contents

Summary of Damage Prevention and Control Methods

Exclusion

Practical where opossums are entering structures.

Habitat Modification

Remove cover and plug burrows to reduce frequency of visits by opossums.

Frightening

Generally not practical.

Repellents

None are registered.

Toxicants

None are registered.

Fumigants

None are registered.

Trapping

Leghold traps. Box traps. Cage traps. Body-gripping (kill) traps.

Shooting

Effective where firearms are permitted. Use a shotgun with No. 6 shot or a .22-caliber rifle.


Opossums | Opossum Overview | Opossum Damage Assessment | Opossum Damage Management | Opossum Acknowledgements | Opossum Resources | ICWDM | Wildlife Species Information


More information:

other mammals, wdm overview

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