Species MammalsVirginia Opossum

Virginia Opossum

Didelphis virginiana

CommonMammal
Illustration of Virginia Opossum (Didelphis virginiana)
Safety note: Do not handle wild opossums.

The Virginia Opossum is the only marsupial native to North America. Females carry young in a pouch. Famous for 'playing dead' when threatened — a genuine involuntary physiological response.

Habitat
Forests, farmland, and suburban neighborhoods near water
Diet
Omnivorous: insects, carrion, fruit, eggs, and refuse
How common
Common

Best time to see a Virginia Opossum

The best time to see a Virginia Opossum is January–July, when about 63% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 60,553 research-grade iNaturalist observations.

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

Not certain it is a Virginia Opossum? What animal is this? walks through what to check first and the lookalikes that catch people out.

Recent Virginia Opossum sightings near you

Live, research-grade observations from iNaturalist. Allow location to center the map on you.

Spot a Virginia Opossum? Identify it instantly.

Point Huck at any plant, bird, or animal for an instant ID, its rarity, and a live map of where it is being seen near you.

Get Huck

Get an alert when a Virginia Opossum is spotted

Pick a park, state, or city and we’ll email you when one turns up there. One check a day, only when there’s something new.

Free. Unsubscribe from any email. See our Privacy Policy.

Love mammals? Get Huck field notes

Spotting tips, new species, and the best of what people are finding in the wild - straight to your inbox.

By subscribing you agree to receive Huck emails. No spam, unsubscribe anytime. See our Privacy Policy.

More mammals

Volcano Mouse
Volcano Mouse
Neotomodon alstoni
Volcano Rabbit
Volcano Rabbit
Romerolagus diazi
Walrus
Walrus
Odobenus rosmarus
Water Opossum
Water Opossum
Chironectes minimus
Water Vole
Water Vole
Microtus richardsoni
West Indian Manatee
West Indian Manatee
Trichechus manatus
Western Canada Moose
Western Canada Moose
Alces alces andersoni
Western Gray Squirrel
Western Gray Squirrel
Sciurus griseus