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 Florida's
only marsupial is the Virginia opossum (Didelphis
virginiana). Opossums are about the size of a house cat, have
long naked tails and small ears. Opossums occur throughout the
state in virtually all habitats. If threatened they may go limp
and appear dead, hence "playing possum". Opossums are common
in residential and suburban areas, and are most active at night.
Opossums are attracted to virtually any type of available food, including
garbage, pet food, or cultivated fruits and vegetables. To prevent
attraction of opossums garbage cans should be secured with rubber straps,
and pet food should be taken in at night.
A landowner may lawfully live-trap nuisance opossums using sardines or
cat food as effective bait. Wildlife may not be lawfully relocated
without an FWC permit and permission from the private property owner.
Wildlife may not be lawfully relocated to public land.
Relocating
wildlife is seldom biologically sound, the animal often does not survive.
You can receive technical assistance for opossum problems by contacting
the FWC regional office nearest you.
More information
Wildlife Resources Handbook
information
National opossum society
'possum network
Why the
opossums tail is bare?
Window on the woodlands
fun facts
Info
on Opossum tracks
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