Are There Opossums in New York?
Yes, opossums are well-established throughout New York state and are increasingly common in many regions. They occur from New York City and Long Island inland through the Hudson River valley and into the Catskills. Opossums thrive in urban, suburban, and rural areas across the state, with populations expanding northward.
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
- 1,876
- GBIF records
Yes, opossums are in New York. Next you'll want:
Yes, opossums are well-established throughout New York state and are increasingly common in many regions. They occur from New York City and Long Island inland through the Hudson River valley and into the Catskills. Opossums thrive in urban, suburban, and rural areas across the state, with populations expanding northward.
Where Opossums Live in New York
Opossums inhabit nearly all of New York state, though they are most abundant south of the Adirondacks and in accessible valleys. The Hudson River valley and lower valleys support strong populations with excellent habitat and reliable water. New York City and surrounding metropolitan areas host thriving opossum populations that have adapted to urban environments. The Catskill Mountains provide suitable habitat in lower elevations and valleys. Long Island supports consistent populations in parks and residential areas. The Finger Lakes region offers ideal conditions with water access and forested areas. Central and eastern New York have expanding populations as opossums continue to colonize northward. The Adirondack region represents the northern limit of opossum range, with populations sparse and limited to lower elevations and river valleys. Learn about opossums and other New York wildlife by visitingour New York wildlife guide. Mixed hardwood forests, stream corridors, and human settlements throughout the state provide the conditions opossums need. Their range continues to expand in response to warmer winters and habitat alteration by humans.
Seasonal Activity Throughout the Year
Opossums remain active year-round in New York, though activity fluctuates with seasons. Spring brings peak breeding activity from February through June, with mating and the establishment of maternal dens. Females carry young in their pouches for approximately two months before juveniles emerge. Summer sees the dispersal of young opossums as they leave their mother and establish independent territories. Autumn triggers intensive foraging and fat accumulation as opossums prepare for New York winters. Winter temperatures regularly fall below freezing with significant snow in many regions, forcing opossums to shelter in protected locations. They do not hibernate but enter torpor to conserve energy during harsh weather. Winter den sites include hollow trees, rock crevices, beneath buildings and decks, and dense brush piles. On milder winter nights, opossums emerge to forage for food and water. Spring increases activity again as winter subsides and food becomes abundant. Opossums are entirely nocturnal, and daytime sightings suggest illness or injury. For more on opossum in New York, see ourNew York opossum guide.
Identifying Opossums
Opossums are distinctive medium-sized marsupials weighing 8 to 14 pounds with white or grayish faces and gray bodies. They have naked pink ears that stand upright, dark beady eyes, and a pointed snout with white facial markings. Their most recognizable feature is a long, hairless, pinkish tail used for balance and climbing. Opossums have a hunched posture and move slowly and deliberately. Their front feet have five toes with sharp claws for climbing and grasping. Rear feet have an opposable digit, a marsupial characteristic. Females possess a pouch for carrying young. Adult males are somewhat larger than females. Opossums are famous for playing dead when threatened, remaining motionless with mouth open and tongue hanging out. Their vocalizations include hisses, coughs, and clicks. The combination of white face, gray body, hairless tail, and defensive playing-dead behavior makes opossums instantly recognizable to most observers. You can also browseNew York wildlife.
Best Places to See Opossums in New York
Opossum sightings concentrate in urban and suburban areas throughout New York, where they forage in yards, parks, and gardens at night. New York City and surrounding boroughs host populations adapted to developed environments. Central Park, Prospect Park, and other urban green spaces support reliable opossum populations. The Hudson River valley from New York City north to the Catskills provides excellent riparian habitat and corridors. Parks along the Hudson River and Mohawk River attract opossums. The Delaware River corridor along New York's western border supports populations. Suburban neighborhoods with mature trees, brush cover, and accessible food sources see frequent opossum visits. Farmland with adjoining woodlots throughout the state provides habitat connectivity. Riparian zones along the Genesee River, Susquehanna River, and smaller streams throughout the state host populations. Golf courses, cemeteries, and other maintained landscapes with scattered trees and shrub cover attract opossums seeking food and shelter. See all of ourwildlife guides.
Behavior and Ecological Role
Opossums are omnivorous foragers that spend nights searching for food along the ground and in low vegetation. They consume insects, grubs, earthworms, snails, and arthropods by rooting through soil and leaf litter. They readily eat carrion, providing crucial ecosystem services by removing dead animals and reducing disease transmission. They consume berries, nuts, seeds, and vegetation, particularly fallen fruit. Opossums eat ticks and other parasites, providing pest control benefits to humans and ecosystems. They rarely kill live animals, preferring carrion and invertebrates. Opossums are solitary, generally docile animals that avoid conflict. When threatened, they enter a catatonic state called playing dead, remaining motionless with mouth agape. This defense is effective because most predators prefer active prey. Opossums are excellent climbers despite their slow pace and can grasp branches with their prehensile tail. They are excellent swimmers and can cross water barriers. They serve as food for predators including owls, coyotes, and hawks. OurNew York wildlife guidecovers more species you may run into.
Safely Coexisting with Opossums
Opossums pose minimal risk to humans, pets, and property in New York. They are not aggressive and rarely bite. Opossums are actually beneficial neighbors because they control rodent populations, remove carrion, and consume ticks. To promote coexistence, remove outdoor pet food at dusk, secure garbage cans with tight lids, and trim tree branches away from roofs to limit attic access. Install chimney caps and seal holes or gaps in building exteriors. If an opossum enters your home, simply open doors and windows to allow it to escape. They will leave when given the opportunity. Relocation is unnecessary because opossums do not pose genuine threats. Opossums are protected as native wildlife in New York and cannot be harmed without a permit. Appreciating opossums as natural pest controllers and scavengers supports ecosystem health and reduces dependence on pesticides and rodenticides. They represent valuable ecosystem engineers that benefit urban and rural areas. Read more aboutopossum in New York.
Confusion with Other Animals
Virginia opossums are rarely confused with other New York mammals. Raccoons are similar in size but have distinctive black facial masks, shorter tails, and rounded ears. Rats are much smaller with fully furred tails and different ear placement. Woodchucks are stockier with shorter tails and different body proportions. Badgers are more heavily built with distinctive facial markings. Foxes are more slender with longer legs and different snouts. Possums from Australia and neighboring regions are unrelated despite the similar name and are found only in zoos. The combination of white face, gray body, hairless pinkish tail, and the distinctive ability to play dead make opossums instantly recognizable. Experienced New York residents can identify opossums confidently. Playing dead is a behavior unique to opossums among New York mammals, making identification certain when witnessed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do opossums really play dead? Yes, when threatened, they enter a catatonic state lasting from a few minutes to several hours with mouth open and tongue hanging out. This confuses predators that prefer active prey. Can opossums harm my pets? Opossums rarely attack pets and will usually flee or play dead. Remove outdoor pet food at night to prevent attracting them. Supervise outdoor cats and small dogs during evening hours. Are opossums dangerous to humans? No, opossums are not dangerous and do not transmit rabies readily. They are actually resistant to rabies. They are docile and avoid humans. Will opossums damage my home or garden? Opossums rarely damage property or gardens. They may seek shelter in attics or sheds, but removing food sources and sealing entry points prevents problems. They eat insects and grubs that damage plants. Do opossums benefit the ecosystem? Yes, opossums control rodents, insects, and consume carrion. They are natural pest controllers that reduce the need for pesticides and rodenticides. They provide important ecosystem services.
Plan your opossum sighting in New York
1,876 verified opossum records have been logged in New York, most recently in 2026. See the GBIF records.
Where to look in New York
- Appalachian National Scenic Trail · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
- Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
- Chesapeake Bay · Wildlife Watching · Find hotels
- Fire Island National Seashore · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
- Martin Van Buren National Historic Site · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
- National Parks of New York Harbor · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
More places to see opossum
More wildlife in New York