Are There Opossums in Arkansas?
Yes, opossums are common throughout Arkansas. These nocturnal marsupials inhabit every region of the state, from the Mississippi River alluvial plains in the east to the Ozark and Ouachita mountains in the west. Arkansas's warm climate, abundant forests, and waterways provide ideal conditions for opossums to thrive.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated July 22, 2026.
Virginia Opossum · Public domain CC0
Virginia Opossum · Public domain CC0
Eastern Virginia Opossum · Millie Basden CC BY
- 1,079
- GBIF records
Yes, opossums are in Arkansas. Next you'll want:
Yes, opossums are common throughout Arkansas. These nocturnal marsupials inhabit every region of the state, from the Mississippi River alluvial plains in the east to the Ozark and Ouachita mountains in the west. Arkansas's warm climate, abundant forests, and waterways provide ideal conditions for opossums to thrive.
Where in Arkansas Opossums Are Found
Opossums are distributed throughout all regions and habitat types in Arkansas. In the eastern Arkansas Delta, the vast alluvial floodplain of the Mississippi River supports dense opossum populations. Bayous, oxbow lakes, cypress swamps, and bottomland hardwood forests provide ideal habitat. The Cache River system in northeast Arkansas hosts thriving populations in its wetland ecosystems. West of the Delta, the Grand Prairie is now largely agricultural but still supports scattered opossums in remaining woodlots and riparian areas. The Ozark Mountains and plateaus of northern and western Arkansas offer forested habitats where opossums thrive in oak-hickory forests and mixed deciduous woodlands. The Ouachita Mountains in the south-central region support populations in their steep-sided valleys and forest areas. The Arkansas River valley, running through the center of the state, provides a continuous corridor of riparian forest suitable for opossum movement and habitation. Lakes including Lake Ouachita, Bull Shoals Lake, and Beaver Lake have wooded shorelines and adjacent forests where opossums are common. VisitArkansas wildlife guidesto learn about other species in your state's diverse ecosystems.
Season and Timing in Arkansas
Opossums are active year-round in Arkansas with no true hibernation. They remain most visible during winter months when dense vegetation offers less cover and deciduous trees have lost their leaves. Breeding begins in late winter, typically in January and February, when males become more active and territorial. Younger, more aggressive males are more likely to be struck by vehicles during this period. Females give birth in mid-spring, roughly in March and April, after a brief thirteen-day gestation. Young opossums remain in the pouch for approximately two months, then cling to their mother's back for several more weeks. By early summer, you may observe females with several young riding on their backs. Fall months bring intense foraging activity as opossums build fat reserves for winter, taking advantage of abundant nuts, berries, and insects. Activity increases noticeably during autumn nights. Winter temperatures in Arkansas rarely reach extremes, allowing opossums to remain active even during cold months. The state's high humidity and regular rainfall maintain moisture levels that opossums require. Spring and summer rainfall creates abundant insect populations, particularly ticks, that opossums consume in large quantities. For more on opossum in Arkansas, see ourArkansas opossum guide.
How to Identify an Opossum
Adult Virginia opossums in Arkansas typically weigh between 8 and 14 pounds, roughly the size of a large cat. The head is distinctively white with a pointed nose and dark eyes. The ears are large, hairless, and sensitive to touch. The body is covered in grayish-white fur. The tail is as long as the body, completely hairless, and pinkish to whitish in color. Males are larger than females and may display yellowish stains on their fur from facial glands used in marking. Females have a pouch where young develop. Juvenile opossums are smaller versions of adults with identical coloring and patterns. Opossums have five toes on hind feet, including an opposable digit that aids in climbing. When alarmed, opossums often open their mouths in a defensive hiss. Their sharp teeth are small relative to their head size. Unlike raccoons, which have dark facial masks, opossums have completely white faces. Unlike skunks, opossums lack bold stripe patterns and are not equipped with chemical defenses. The combination of white face, grayish body, and hairless tail makes opossums unmistakable in Arkansas. You can also browseArkansas wildlife.
Where Sightings Concentrate in Arkansas
Opossums are most frequently encountered in wooded residential neighborhoods with mature trees, brush piles, and garden space. They concentrate in riparian forest corridors along streams and rivers including the White River, Buffalo River, and Illinois River in northern Arkansas. Swamps and bottomland hardwood forests in the Mississippi Delta support high opossum densities. State parks including Devil's Den State Park, Ozark National Forest, and the Buffalo National River have regular opossum populations. Lake shorelines with forested areas attract opossums seeking food and denning sites. Urban parks with tree canopy support opossums, though they are primarily nocturnal and rarely seen by daytime visitors. Agricultural areas with grain storage and livestock operations attract opossums opportunistically. Pet food left outside residential properties draws opossums regularly. Suburban yards with dense vegetation, fallen logs, and undisturbed leaf piles provide ideal denning habitat. Drainage ditches, storm drains, and culverts offer shelter in developed areas. Arkansas's abundant hardwood forests and riparian zones create nearly continuous suitable habitat. Opossums' presence in an area is often revealed by flattened grass and scat near denning sites. VisitArkansas wildlife sitesto explore other animals sharing these habitats.
Typical Behavior and Diet in Arkansas
Opossums are primarily nocturnal and solitary. They spend daylight hours hidden in den sites such as hollow trees, fallen logs, brush piles, drainage culverts, storm drains, and abandoned buildings. At dusk, they emerge to forage, typically traveling nightly routes of a mile or more. They are opportunistic omnivores with remarkably varied diets. In Arkansas, they consume carrion of all kinds, insects including thousands of ticks annually, small mammals such as mice and shrews, bird eggs and nestlings, berries, nuts, fungi, and plant material. Opossums are exceptionally clean animals that groom extensively throughout the night. They are generally silent but produce hisses, growls, and clicking vocalizations when threatened or during mating season. Females fiercely protect their young and will confront predators and threats. Young opossums cling to mothers' backs, learning foraging routes and techniques. Opossums are sedentary, typically remaining within the same home range throughout their lives. They establish well-worn pathways and return repeatedly to productive foraging areas. Their ability to eat almost anything makes them incredibly adaptable survivors in diverse environments. See all of ourwildlife guides.
Coexistence and Safety
Opossums pose no threat to humans and are extremely unlikely to attack. Their famous defense mechanism is playing dead, which is an involuntary response triggered by extreme stress. When cornered, an opossum enters a catatonic state, its body goes rigid, its tongue hangs out, and it emits a foul odor resembling death. This defense makes them vulnerable to predators but provides no risk to humans. Arkansas law protects opossums as wildlife but allows management in urban settings under certain conditions. If an opossum enters your home or building, the simplest approach is to open doors and windows and allow it to leave voluntarily. Opossums rarely bite and pose no disease risk to humans. They are actually beneficial animals, consuming enormous quantities of ticks that carry Lyme disease. They also consume rodent droppings that harbor parasites and diseases. Removing attractants such as unsecured garbage, pet food, and compost is the most effective long-term deterrent. Opossums can be encouraged to leave by making den sites inaccessible through exclusion of gaps and openings. For wildlife management guidance, contact theArkansas Game and Fish Commission.
Species Confusion
Virginia opossums in Arkansas are often confused with several other animals. Raccoons are similar in size and nocturnal but have distinctive black facial masks and heavily ringed tails. Raccoons are far more aggressive and destructive to human property. Foxes are sometimes mistaken for opossums, but foxes have pointed faces, upright ears, and legs built for running rather than climbing. Squirrels might be confused with opossums in poor lighting, but squirrels are smaller with bushy tails and are diurnal. Rats are sometimes mistaken for juvenile opossums, but rats are much smaller with longer tails relative to body size. Muskrats are aquatic with flat tails and are found only in water. Groundhogs or woodchucks are far larger and heavier than opossums with shorter tails. Skunks have bold black and white stripe patterns and emit a distinctive odor. The most frequent confusion occurs between opossums and young raccoons, but raccoons never display the white face characteristic of opossums. Opossums are the only marsupials in Arkansas. Observing an animal play dead or enter a catatonic state is diagnostic for opossum. No other Arkansas animal displays this behavior.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do opossums eat in Arkansas? Opossums consume carrion, insects including ticks, small rodents, eggs, berries, nuts, and fungi. They are valuable for consuming hundreds of ticks daily in forests and neighborhoods. Do opossums carry rabies? Opossums almost never contract rabies due to their low body temperature. They are among the most rabies-resistant mammals in North America. Are opossums dangerous to pets? Adult opossums rarely threaten pets and will flee or play dead rather than fight. Small pets left outdoors could theoretically be at risk, but such incidents are extremely rare. Can opossums climb? Yes, opossums climb trees and structures readily using sharp claws and their prehensile tail. They nest in tree cavities and climb to forage for food and escape predators. How many young does an opossum have? A female may have up to fourteen young, though litter sizes typically range from eight to twelve. Only those that fit in the pouch survive, reducing numbers to around eight. Do opossums return to the same den? Opossums often utilize the same denning sites repeatedly but will relocate if a den becomes unsuitable.
Plan your opossum sighting in Arkansas
1,079 verified opossum records have been logged in Arkansas, most recently in 2026. See the GBIF records.
Where to look in Arkansas
- Arkansas Post National Memorial · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
- Buffalo National River · Wildlife Watching · Find hotels
- Hot Springs National Park · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
- Pea Ridge National Military Park · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
- Butterfield Overland National Historic Trail · Find hotels
- Fort Smith National Historic Site · Find hotels
More places to see opossum
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