Are There Opossums in Delaware?

Where Opossums Live in Delaware

Opossums are now found statewide across Delaware's three counties. You can encounter them in bottomland forests along the Delaware River, coastal plain swamps near the Nanticoke River, and tidal marshes around the Delaware Bay. They inhabit deciduous and mixed forests throughout the state, as well as agricultural land with hedgerows and tree remnants. Suburban neighborhoods in Wilmington, Newark, Dover, and smaller towns host thriving populations. Opossums have adapted well to Delaware's landscape, which combines forest fragments, wetlands, agricultural areas, and increasing urbanization. They shelter in brush piles, tree cavities, and burrows in forested areas, and readily use human structures like sheds, under porches, and storm drains in developed areas. The warmer temperatures of Delaware's Atlantic coastal zone support year-round populations. Opossums rarely venture into completely open fields or dense monoculture crops, but they thrive in mixed-use landscapes where cover is abundant. Assawoman Bay marshes and smaller wetland reserves throughout the state provide important corridors and feeding habitat. VisitDelaware's wildlife resourcesto explore more wildlife in your area.

Season and Activity in Delaware

In Delaware, opossums are active year-round, though their behavior shifts seasonally. Winters in Delaware are milder than in northern states, allowing opossums to remain more active throughout the cold months compared to their cousins further north. They spend the coldest nights sheltered in dens but emerge during warmer periods to forage. Late winter marks the beginning of mating season, typically from late January through March. During this time, males vocalize more frequently and range widely searching for receptive females. Females give birth to litters in spring after a short gestation of just 13 days. Young are independent by mid-summer and early fall. Summer is the peak season for opossum activity, with animals moving freely through woods and suburban areas in search of abundant food. Fall brings dispersal of young animals and increased foraging activity as adults prepare for winter. The Delaware climate means opossums never truly hibernate, so you may encounter them in any season. Food availability increases dramatically in fall with dropping fruit and nuts, which opossums readily consume. Learn more aboutDelaware wildlifeand other species.

How to Identify Opossums

Opossums are stocky, medium-sized marsupials, typically weighing 8 to 14 pounds and measuring 24 to 40 inches from nose to tail tip. Their fur is grayish-white or cream-colored with dark underfur, giving them a salt-and-pepper appearance. The most distinctive feature is their long, hairless, rat-like tail with a pinkish or pale color. Their face is pointed and fox-like, with small black eyes, large rounded ears with little fur, and a white to cream-colored facial mask. The snout is elongated and pinkish. Opossums have sharp claws on all feet and an opposable big toe on each hind foot. Their front teeth are small and sharp. When threatened or stressed, they may open their mouths wide to display 50 teeth, hiss, and drool. This fearsome display is purely defensive. Female opossums have a pouch on the underside of the body, though it is not visible unless examined closely. Males are slightly larger than females. In Delaware, opossums are the only marsupials, making them instantly recognizable once you know what to look for. For more on opossum in Delaware, see ourDelaware opossum guide.

Where Delaware Sightings Concentrate

Opossum sightings in Delaware concentrate in areas offering shelter, water, and food. Suburban neighborhoods throughout Wilmington, Newark, and Dover counties host regular populations. You are most likely to encounter opossums in residential areas with mature trees, gardens, and landscaping. Riparian forests along the Delaware River in New Castle County support steady populations. The Brandywine River valley provides excellent opossum habitat with forest cover and flowing water. Coastal marshes and maritime forests around the Delaware Bay attract opossums seeking abundant food and shelter. State Wildlife Areas and nature preserves, including those protecting coastal wetlands and interior forests, provide core habitat. Nanticoke River bottomlands in Sussex County host populations in both forested and agricultural landscapes. Urban parks, golf courses, and cemeteries with scattered trees and shrubs acrossDelaware's countiessupport regular sightings. Agricultural land with brush and tree remnants in Kent and Sussex counties provides dispersal corridors. Opossums rarely concentrate in completely open agricultural areas or dense, unbroken forest. They seem to prefer landscape mosaics with a mix of cover and open feeding areas. This preference makes them increasingly common at the edges of Delaware's growing suburban areas.

Opossum Behavior and Diet

Opossums are nocturnal, solitary animals that shelter during daylight in burrows, tree cavities, or dense vegetation. They are not aggressive and actively avoid confrontation. When threatened, their first response is to flee. If cornered or extremely frightened, they fall into a catatonic state called thanatosis, remaining motionless with their mouth open and tongue protruding. This play-dead behavior can last for several hours. Opossums are primarily carnivorous scavengers that consume an enormous variety of foods. They eat carrion, insects, earthworms, snails, slugs, and small vertebrates including mice, voles, and bird eggs. They are known tick eaters and consume large quantities of ticks, making them beneficial for disease control. In suburban areas, they readily eat garbage, pet food, bird seed, fallen fruit, and garden vegetables. They are opportunistic feeders and will consume whatever is available and edible. Opossums are excellent climbers and use their semi-prehensile tails for balance. They have poor eyesight but excellent senses of smell and hearing. In Delaware, opossums have low metabolic rates and can extract nutrition efficiently from diverse food sources, allowing them to thrive in mixed landscapes. You can also browseDelaware wildlife.

Safety and Coexistence in Delaware

Opossums present no danger to Delaware residents and are not aggressive toward humans. They carry a very low risk of rabies because their body temperature is lower than most mammals, making them inhospitable to the rabies virus. Transmission of rabies to humans from opossums is extremely rare. Opossums do not carry or transmit Lyme disease, though they do consume ticks and can help reduce tick populations. They are beneficial for tick control around residential properties. In Delaware, opossums are protected by wildlife laws and cannot be trapped or killed without a permit. If an opossum enters an attic or takes up residence under a shed, the solution is humane exclusion and prevention, not lethal removal. Once the animal has left or been safely moved, seal entry points with hardware cloth or wire mesh. Opossums are shy and typically leave areas on their own if not harassed. To discourage opossums from your property, secure garbage cans, remove pet food at night, and trim tree branches near roofs. If you find a sick or injured opossum, contact a local wildlife rehabilitator for assistance. Coexistence is simple because opossums are quiet, harmless, and provide ecological benefits. See all of ourwildlife guides.

Species Confusion: What You Might Mistake for an Opossum

In Delaware, opossums are distinctive and rarely confused with other native species. However, a few animals might cause momentary confusion. Young opossums can resemble large rats, but opossums have significantly larger rounded ears, a short hairless tail, and a broader face. Muskrats and beavers are larger and associated with water. Raccoons are heavier, have distinctive black facial masks, and black-and-white ringed tails with fur. They are also stockier and lack the pointed face. Foxes are larger, have pointed snouts, longer legs, and colored fur. Woodchucks are more strong, lack tails, and are active during daylight. Skunks have distinctive black-and-white stripes and spray odor. Mink and weasels are more elongated and smaller. Squirrels have bushy tails and active daytime behavior. The hairless tail, white facial markings, and distinctive features make opossums unmistakable once observed. The play-dead behavior is unique to opossums and not seen in Delaware's other mammals. Once you have seen an opossum, future identifications are straightforward.

Frequently Asked Questions About Delaware Opossums

What is thanatosis and why do opossums do it? Thanatosis is involuntary play-dead behavior triggered by extreme fear. The opossum becomes catatonic and may remain motionless for hours. This is not a conscious strategy but rather an automatic response that effectively deters many predators.

Are opossums good for controlling ticks? Yes, opossums consume large quantities of ticks and other parasites. They are among the most efficient tick-eating mammals and can help reduce tick populations on properties where they live.

Will opossums attack pets? Opossums are not aggressive toward pets. They are far more likely to flee than fight. They pose no threat to adult cats or dogs, though they might compete for pet food left outdoors.

How did opossums expand their range into Delaware? Warming climate, particularly milder winters, has allowed opossums to survive further north. Human landscapes with abundant food and shelter have also facilitated their expansion and establishment.