Common opossum

Scientific name: Didelphis marsupialis

How weight is recorded: Whole weight

Field notes

Appearance

Didelphis marsupialis is a medium-sized marsupial with a distinctive white or grayish face, pointed snout, and large rounded ears. The body coat is coarse and grizzled gray to brownish, with a bare, rat-like prehensile tail; males are typically larger and more robust than females.

Size and weight

Adults typically weigh 1.5–5.5 kg, with males averaging 2.5–4.5 kg and females 1.5–3.0 kg; body length ranges from 35–55 cm, with tail length 25–40 cm.

Habitat

Common opossums inhabit deciduous and mixed forests, woodlands, thickets, and disturbed areas including farmland and suburban zones. They favour areas near water sources and utilize den sites in hollow trees, brush piles, and ground burrows.

Distribution

Common opossums range from Central America through the southern United States into southern Canada, occupying diverse habitats from sea level to mid-elevation forests with preference for areas offering den sites and proximity to food.

Diet

Opossums are opportunistic omnivores consuming carrion, small vertebrates, insects, earthworms, fruits, berries, and plant matter; diet shifts seasonally toward more vegetation in autumn and winter.

Behaviour

Primarily nocturnal and crepuscular, opossums are solitary except during mating season and are excellent climbers using their prehensile tail. They are slow, deliberate movers that often remain immobile when threatened, and den during cold or wet weather.

Hunting tips

Locate sign by identifying five-toed hind and four-toed front tracks in soft substrate near water or den sites, and scanning overhead branches at night for eye-shine. Approach silently at dusk or after dark, moving slowly through thickets and along forest edges; opossums often freeze or retreat to trees rather than fleeing, allowing close approach. Focus on areas with carrion, fallen fruit, or accessible water where they forage predictably.

Whole weight

This species is logged by whole weight — the animal weighed entire, as taken.

Where it is hunted

Listed as huntable in 3 countries in Huntify.

Names in other languages

These field notes are general species knowledge, not legal advice. Always check the current seasons, quotas and firearm rules where you hunt.