Do possums live in Southern California?

The opossum is not native to California but was introduced in San Jose in 1910 from the east coast of the United States and has now become well established throughout much of the state.

Where do California possums live?

Opossums will commonly live in attics, garages, woodpiles, and chimneys, or under houses, decks and hot tubs. Although, normally known to be solitary animals, it is not unusual for opossums to live in groups of different ages and sexes in urban areas where food is abundant.

How many possums live in California?

California Wildlife Center admits an average of 250 opossums yearly. Of this number, 40-50 are adults, while the remainder are orphans.

What is the difference between a possum and an opossum?

Both possum and opossum correctly refer to the Virginia opossum frequently seen in North America. In common use, possum is the usual term; in technical or scientific contexts opossum is preferred. Most English speakers who encounter the creature drop the Virginia and refer to it simply as an opossum.

What to do if a possum is in your yard?

Leave the opossum alone and enjoy watching wildlife in your own backyard. However, if the opossum is injured or an orphan (less than 7 inches from nose to rump) then contact the Opossum Society of the United States, a local wildlife rehabilitator, a veterinarian, or your local animal shelter for help.

How do you get a possum out of your yard?

1. STEP 1: Remove possum attractants such as food and water and potential homes.
2. STEP 2: Secure outside entry points to your home; block access to chimneys, vents, or any other holes or gaps.
3. STEP 3: Apply a chemical repellent to your garden.
4. STEP 3: Use electronic repellents to scare possums away.

What is so bad about opossums?

Opossums become dangerous with their ability to transmit diseases to pets and people. Known to carry leptospirosis, tuberculosis, coccidiosis, spotted fever, tularemia, and other diseases, the pesky creatures pose serious health threats when they invade urban environments.

Is it bad to have possums around your house?

As a homeowner, you may see opossums as unwanted pests, but they can also be helpful critters. On one hand, having opossums around can be beneficial because they are known to eat harmful insects and annoying pests such as cockroaches, rats and snakes.

What do you do if you find a possum in your yard?

If you discovered an opossum living on your property and forage in your garden at night, just let it be. There is no need to feed them. They want to be left alone. However, it is essential to educate your family to not disturb or try to catch the animal and to supervise your pets.

What do possums eat and are they dangerous?

Possums are known to eat large proportions of eucalyptus leaves , ferns , grasses , fruits , mosses , and herbs . The possum can also eat highly toxic leaves. Unlike koalas, brushtail possums are probably the only arboreal marsupials to feed on different types of plants during their foraging journey.

Are possums dangerous to humans or pets?

Opossums become dangerous with their ability to transmit diseases to pets and people. Known to carry leptospirosis, tuberculosis, coccidiosis, spotted fever, tularemia, and other diseases, the pesky creatures pose serious health threats when they invade urban environments.

Where do opossums like to live?

Opossums are most likely to make habitats in mesic and arid environments. They fancy living in woodlands, wet habitats, swamps, and thickets near streams. Opossums are somewhat opportunistic hunters and they have also adapted to surviving in different habitats.

Where do possums sleep during the day?

Common brushtail possums are territorial creatures, usually sleeping alone during the day in dens in tree hollows, rock piles or logs . Dens are often in limited supply in the bush and possums will compete for nesting sites, sometimes fighting to the death. In contrast, suburbia provides an abundance of potential nesting spaces.