Ever wondered what animals actually hunt opossums? You’re definitely not the only one. These small, slow-moving critters have plenty of natural enemies out in the wild.
Foxes, hawks, owls, bobcats, coyotes, and even dogs hunt opossums pretty regularly.
Even though opossums have that famous “playing dead” trick, it doesn’t always save them. Many predators rely on their speed, sharp senses, or just brute strength to catch an opossum before it can react.
If you’re curious about where opossums fit in the food chain or what dangers they really face, you’re in the right place. Let’s talk about the main predators that eat opossums and how these marsupials try to stay out of trouble.
For more details, you can check out what animals eat opossums.
Main Predators of Opossums
Opossums deal with threats from all sorts of animals looking for a meal. Some are skilled birds that swoop down from above, while others are fast, clever mammals on the ground.
You might be surprised by just how many creatures keep an eye out for opossums.
Birds of Prey
Owls and hawks are tough for opossums to avoid, especially the young ones. Owls have incredible night vision and sharp hearing, which makes it easy for them to find opossums after dark.
Great-horned owls, in particular, hunt small mammals like opossums in wooded areas. Hawks—think red-tailed or Cooper’s hawks—use their sharp eyesight to spot opossums from way up high.
Once they see a target, they dive fast and grab it with strong talons. These birds mostly hunt at dawn and dusk, so opossums are extra vulnerable during those times.
Mammalian Predators
Several mammals go after opossums using speed and smarts. Red foxes are quick hunters and often catch opossums before the opossum even knows what’s happening.
You’ll find these foxes in woodlands and even suburban neighborhoods where opossums hang out. Dogs and wild canines like coyotes also threaten opossums.
Coyotes sniff out opossums in forests or near homes, and they don’t hesitate to attack. Wild cats—bobcats, cougars, and lynxes—are skilled hunters, too.
They’ll eat opossums, especially if they come across young or smaller ones.
Snakes and Reptiles
Large snakes sometimes eat opossums, but they’re not as common as birds or mammals. Some snakes strike fast and catch an opossum by surprise.
Opossums have a bit of resistance to snake venom, which is kind of interesting, but big snakes still manage to kill them. In some regions, large lizards or pythons might hunt opossums.
These reptiles usually catch opossums when they’re less active or hiding in dense spots where escape isn’t easy.
Human Impact and Other Threats
Opossums face dangers beyond just natural predators. Human activities mess with their habitats, and scavengers or other animals create extra competition.
Australian possums even deal with different threats than the American ones, which is kind of wild.
Human Activities
Humans really affect opossum survival. Habitat loss causes big problems because building homes and roads shrinks the wild spaces opossums need.
Cars hit and kill a lot of opossums every year. Urban development changes where opossums can find food and shelter.
You’ll often see them scavenging in garbage cans or eating pet food left outside. That sometimes helps them survive, but it also exposes them to poisons and traps.
Pollution and city noise can stress opossums out and change their behavior. If you have opossums nearby, making your yard safer and keeping trash locked up actually helps them out.
You can learn more about human impacts on opossums.
Scavengers and Competition
Opossums share their world with plenty of scavengers and other animals. Raccoons, birds, and even insects compete for the same food.
That competition can make it harder for opossums to find enough to eat. Scavengers sometimes eat what opossums leave behind or even bother the opossums themselves.
You’ll notice opossums use tricks like “playing dead” to avoid getting attacked by rivals or bigger predators. Since they move slowly, opossums need safe places to rest away from aggressive scavengers.
If you keep a yard with natural cover, you actually help reduce pressure from competitors.
Predators of Australian Possum
Australian possums aren’t the same as the North American opossums you might picture. Birds of prey like owls and hawks go after them.
Mammals such as dingoes and feral cats also hunt Australian possums. These predators move quickly and strike hard, so possums have to count on thick trees for cover.
Insects don’t usually bother possums, but heavy parasite loads can wear them down. That makes them easier targets for predators.
If you ever visit Australia, maybe just watch possums from a distance. It’s honestly better for them—and probably more interesting for you to see them acting naturally.
