Virginia Opossum (Didelphis virginiana)

County List:

Rule:

Mixed Forested/Nonforested Landscapes

Habitat Requirements may be distributed across the COMPARTMENT

      (Any Upland Deciduous (Pole or Sm Saw or Lg Saw or Uneven))
      or (Mixed Northern Hardwoods (Pole or Sm Saw or Lg Saw or Uneven))
      or (Mixed Upland Hardwoods (Pole or Sm Saw or Lg Saw or Uneven))
      or (Any Lowland Deciduous (Pole or Sm Saw or Lg Saw or Uneven))
   containing:
      (Dead Down Woody Debris and (Snags or Living Cavity Trees))
   neighboring:
      (Any Upland Deciduous (Regen))
      or (Mixed Northern Hardwoods (Regen))
      or (Mixed Upland Hardwoods (Regen))
      or (Any Lowland Deciduous (Regen))
      or Grass
      or Upland Brush
      or Savanna
      or Small Grains/Forage Crops
      or Fields/Pasture
      or Residential
      or Lowland Brush
   containing:
      Mast
   neighboring:
      Riparian

Habitat List:

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Literature:

Although the Virginia opossum favors deciduous woods near a stream or lake, it also frequents semiopen country, brushy fencelines, drainage ditches, and swamp borders. It is an adaptable species that flourishes in urban parks as well as rural areas.

Although the opossum most often rests in an abandoned woodchuck burrow, it occasionally finds shelter in a hollow tree, brush pile, culvert or building.

This mammal is a true omnivore. Common animal foods include earthworms, insects, and bird eggs; small mammals, nestling birds, amphibians, and even snakes are eaten when encountered. Rural opossums readily scavenge road kill and other carrion, whereas garbage and uneaten dog food are popular with urban dwellers. When available, fruits, nuts, seeds, and mushrooms supplement the diet.

Habitat: Dry to wet wooded areas; commonly found in wet woods near rivers and swamps, less often in wooded uplands or cultivated fields. Common near human habitation where they are attracted to garbage.

Special Habitat Requirements: Den - usually in abandoned burrow, tree cavity, hollow log, or brush pile; water.

Habitat Preferences: The ability of the opossum to sustain itself at the northern edge of its natural distribution in Michigan is surely the result of its ability to use a variety of habitats. Wooded areas with surface water nearby are natural abodes, hardwoods being preferred to stands of pines and evergreens. The mammal's characteristic tracks in soft ground at the edges of swamps and marshes indicate its liking for these areas for foraging. However, opossums perhaps occur in maximum densities in the disturbed habitats produced by small farming operations and human habitations both in rural and urban settings. The animals are even seen occasionally in the inner cities.

Behavior: The opossum does not excavate its own ground den but uses one dug by a groundhog or striped skunk. A well-insulated underground burrow is perhaps the winter refuge choice. In addition, opossums use a variety of surface and arboreal sites which can be in thickets, brush piles, and tree cavities. The animal appears to take special effort providing abundant insulation materials for nest chambers. These materials are usually leaves and as many as six bushels have been found in a single den.

Food Habits: The opossum's ability to eat a variety of animal and plant food has probably aided in its successful occupation of most of temperature North America. It is truly an omnivore. Fruits, seeds, grains, grasses, leaves, insects, worms, mice, carrion, and sticks were found in examining the contents of stomachs of opossums. A fondness for carrion makes garbage dumps attractive. The opossum does not hesitate to eat salamanders, toads, frogs, snakes, nestling birds, and eggs, including those from the henhouse. Also mushrooms and wild fruit.

Key Components of Habitat: Ecotones between wetlands, woodlands, and agricultural habitats; suitable den sites, particularly ground burrows in northern latitudes.

Management Actions to Enhance or Maintain Habitat Quality: Maintain woodlots in agricultural areas with minimal grazing or disturbance to ensure diversity of understory vegetation and foods; maintain shelterbelts, fencerows, for cover and travel corridors; encourage establishment of fruit-producing shrubs and trees.

Habitat: Opossums prefer deciduous woodlands in association with streams, marshlands, forests, grasslands, agricultural habitats, agricultural edges, diverse habitats and edges, wooded canyons and escarpments, areas with access to water, and areas and dens close to sources of drinking water.

The Virginia opossum at Posey Hollow, VA was significantly associated with three of these factors: (1) wet, shrubby thickets with small trees and abundant ground cover; (2) forest edges removed from water sources and with a moderate number of trees of both size classes (<6 cm; ³7 cm); (3) areas close to water with many small trees, a few large ones, and an open canopy. The habitat association followed a seasonal pattern. Opossums were associated with shrubby thickets and wet areas with open canopy during summer and winter but shifted to forest edges during autumn. This latter areas is where wild grapes and persimmon grown in great abundance.