Ever spotted an opossum and wondered what these little guys munch on? You’re definitely not the only one. Opossums aren’t picky at all—they’ll eat just about anything they come across, from fruits and eggs to small animals, insects, and even leftovers from your trash.
You might find it surprising, but they help control pests by gobbling up rodents and insects. On top of that, they’ll happily snack on sweet things like fruit or even yogurt if they stumble upon it.
When you know what opossums eat, it’s easier to appreciate their role in nature. Plus, it helps you figure out how not to attract them too close to your house.
Maybe you want to feed a backyard visitor safely, or maybe you’re just curious—either way, understanding their diet is a solid first step to living alongside these quirky animals.
Natural Diet of Opossums
Opossums eat all sorts of foods, both animal and plant-based. They catch small animals, eat bugs and ticks, and love fruits and nuts too.
Their wide-ranging appetite helps them survive just about anywhere.
Animal-Based Foods
You’ll often see opossums munching on animal foods. They seem to like insects like beetles and crickets—they’re easy targets.
They also hunt small mammals such as mice. When they get the chance, they’ll eat frogs, snakes, birds, eggs, and even fish.
Opossums scavenge pretty well and will eat dead animals they find, including roadkill. That actually helps keep your yard cleaner, believe it or not.
They eat ticks too, which can help cut down on pests around your place.
Since opossums are marsupials, they have to be flexible about what they eat to stay healthy. Eating small animals gives them the protein they need to stay active.
Plant-Based Foods
Opossums go for plenty of plant foods as well. Berries and apples are some of their favorites.
They also eat nuts and seeds like walnuts and sunflower seeds. Those give them a nice energy boost.
Sometimes, they’ll nibble on grains or leafy plants. If they find veggies, they’ll eat those too.
This mix of plant foods gives them the nutrients they need.
If you want to attract opossums to your yard, you might put out some fruits and nuts. Just don’t forget—they’re wild animals and deserve their space.
Role as Omnivores
Opossums are true omnivores, so they eat both meat and plants. This lets them adapt to all sorts of places, whether it’s a forest or a backyard.
Their mixed diet of bugs, small animals, fruit, and nuts helps them stay balanced. If food in one group runs low, they just switch to another.
That’s part of what makes them important for local ecosystems. They help control pests like ticks and clean up dead animals, which is pretty useful if you think about it.
If you’re curious, you can check out more about what they eat at Terminix or Hawkeye Bird & Animal Control.
Opossums in Human Environments
Opossums pop up in neighborhoods and city areas all the time. They’ve learned to adapt to human spaces by looking for food in garbage or pet dishes.
Knowing how they behave in these places helps you handle them safely and with a little respect.
Eating From Garbage and Pet Food
Opossums will dig through your garbage if they get the chance. Open bins attract them, and they’ll eat leftover food—old fruits, veggies, meat scraps, you name it.
If you leave pet food outside, they’ll eat that too, especially dog or cat food. That can turn your yard into a regular stop for them.
Try securing your garbage with tight lids to cut down on visits. Feeding pets indoors or taking in leftover food after dark helps too.
That way, opossums won’t start relying on your yard for meals, and you’ll avoid extra messes.
Opossums as Pets
Some folks try keeping opossums as pets, but they really need special care. They require a diet rich in calcium to keep their bones healthy.
People feed pet opossums small amounts of chicken, eggs with shells, and fish with bones.
Pet opossums also need space to climb and explore since they’re pretty active. Scratching posts and safe hiding spots are a must.
Wild opossums aren’t the same as pets, though, and you shouldn’t keep them without the right permits and knowledge.
Impact on Urban Wildlife
Opossums do a pretty good job controlling pests like ticks, rodents, insects, and even snakes. So, you might notice fewer unwanted critters around your home just because these guys are nearby.
But when opossums wander into your yard, they can end up competing with local birds and small animals for food. Eggs and nestlings sometimes end up as easy targets.
If you love watching birds, you’ll want to keep opossums away from feeders and nesting spots. Try securing pet food and garbage too—it makes life harder for opossums and helps protect the other wildlife hanging around your place.
Want to learn more about opossums in cities? Check out resources like Terminix’s opossum diet page.
