Are There Opossums in Washington?
Yes, opossums have established populations in Washington state. These marsupials arrived from the east during the mid-twentieth century and now thrive throughout much of western Washington, especially the lower Columbia River basin and urban areas. While mostly absent from eastern Washington and Cascade highlands, their presence continues to grow wherever they find reliable food and shelter.
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
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- GBIF records
Yes, opossums are in Washington. Next you'll want:
Yes, opossums have established populations in Washington state. These marsupials arrived from the east during the mid-twentieth century and now thrive throughout much of western Washington, especially the lower Columbia River basin and urban areas. While mostly absent from eastern Washington and Cascade highlands, their presence continues to grow wherever they find reliable food and shelter.
Where Opossums Are Found in Washington
Opossums in Washington are concentrated almost entirely in the western portion of the state, where mild winters and abundant resources support their survival. The lower Columbia River region, stretching from Portland eastward along the floodplains and tributaries, represents the heart of their range in the state. They also inhabit the Willamette Valley extending into Yamhill and Marion counties. Urban and suburban areas from Seattle south to the Oregon border have seen increasing opossum populations over the past two decades. The Puget Sound region, including areas around Tacoma and Olympus, supports growing populations. East of the Cascade Range, opossums are essentially absent due to harsh winter conditions and lack of suitable habitat. In the Blue Mountains and Columbia Plateau regions of eastern Washington, temperatures and snow depth make survival impossible for these cold-sensitive marsupials. Some individuals occasionally reach areas near the Columbia River's eastern bend, but these are rare vagrants rather than established populations. For more on opossum in Washington, see ourWashington opossum guide.
Seasons and Activity Patterns in Washington
Opossums in Washington follow patterns shaped by the state's maritime climate. Milder winters than those found east of the Rockies mean Washington's opossums remain active throughout the year, though they are less active during the coldest months of December through February. Breeding occurs primarily in late winter and early spring, from January through March, with females giving birth in late spring. Young opossums are most visible from July through September as they establish themselves in new territories. Fall is when they increase their foraging activity in preparation for winter, though they do not hibernate and remain active on mild nights year-round. Spring through fall represents peak activity season, with opossums most frequently seen on roads and in gardens during these warmer months. Winter activity drops significantly, but on nights above freezing, you may still encounter them searching for food or checking den sites. You can also browseWashington wildlife.
Identifying Opossums
Opossums are unmistakable North American marsupials with distinctive features that make identification straightforward. Adults average 24 to 40 inches from nose to tail tip, with their hairless, rat-like tail making up much of their length. Their fur is grayish-white on top with darker underfur visible through the coat, and they have a pointed white face with dark ears and pink nose. The face tapers to a sharp snout, and their beady black eyes face slightly forward rather than to the sides like most mammals. Males are slightly larger than females and lack a pouch. Females possess an internal pouch visible only when the animal is examined closely. Opossums have a distinctive gait, moving with a slow, somewhat awkward shuffling motion. Their front feet show five toes, while hind feet also display five toes with the innermost functioning like an opposable thumb. Young opossums are smaller and paler, often appearing nearly white. See all of ourwildlife guides.
Where to Spot Opossums in Washington
Opossums thrive in specific habitats throughout western Washington, with sightings concentrated in areas offering shelter and food. Residential neighborhoods with older trees, woodpiles, and accessible sheds provide ideal conditions, which is why urban Seattle and Tacoma see regular reports. Riparian zones along the Skagit River, Snoqualmie River, and Green River harbor healthy populations. Wetland edges and forested corridors connecting parks and wild areas serve as important travel routes. They prefer areas with some tree cover but readily inhabit open grassland if shelter is nearby. Roadsides bordered by vegetation attract them as they forage at night. Gardens with fruit trees, compost piles, and accessible garbage commonly host visiting opossums. Parks with mature oaks and dead trees for denning, such as those in the greater Puget Sound region, support stable populations. Look for them at night along quiet streets and in yards with access to thewildlifeof western Washington. OurWashington wildlife guidecovers more species you may run into.
Opossum Behavior and Diet
Opossums are solitary, primarily nocturnal animals that spend days in dens and emerge after dark to forage. They are opportunistic omnivores, eating almost anything available, which partly explains their success in adapted to human environments. In Washington, their diet includes carrion, garbage, insects, earthworms, snails, vegetation, fallen fruit, and eggs. They climb readily despite their somewhat awkward appearance, using their partially prehensile tail to steady themselves in branches and on fence tops. Opossums spend much of their night shuffling through leaf litter, probing for invertebrates with their sensitive snouts. They rarely dig or scratch extensively; instead, they find ready-made dens in tree hollows, abandoned burrows, or under structures. Social interactions are generally limited to breeding season. The famous playing dead response occurs when threatened, with the animal entering a catatonic state that may last from minutes to hours. This defense, combined with their low body temperature compared to other mammals, makes them less appealing to many predators. Read more aboutopossum in Washington.
Coexistence and Safety
Opossums pose no significant threat to people and are generally docile when encountered. In Washington, they are not considered pests or protected species; they coexist without legal restrictions. Despite their sometimes threatening appearance and harsh hissing when startled, they rarely bite and cause no direct harm to humans. Opossums can serve a beneficial role by consuming large quantities of insects, ticks, and other invertebrates around homes. However, some people find them unwelcome in garbage cans or compost piles. The simplest coexistence strategy involves securing trash containers with locking lids and removing outdoor pet food after dark. Installing chimney caps and sealing foundation openings prevents den access indoors. If an opossum enters a building, simply opening doors and windows allows it to leave voluntarily. Opossums naturally avoid conflict and prefer to retreat rather than confront animals or people. They develop tolerance for human presence more readily than many wild mammals, and simply accepting their presence usually results in peaceful coexistence. Browsewildlife in Washingtonfor related pages.
Species Confusion with Opossums
Most animals confused with opossums in Washington are rodents or other marsupials that do not actually occur in the state. The Virginia opossum is the only opossum species present in Washington, so any large marsupial is certainly an opossum. Confusion typically arises with large rats or nutria. Nutria are much larger, aquatic rodents with round, scaled tails and orange teeth; they inhabit wetlands and are rarely found in residential areas. Rats are much smaller and lack the opossum's distinctive white face and pink nose. Young opossums might be confused with juvenile raccoons, though raccoons have dark face masks, rounded ears, and bushy banded tails. Raccoons are stockier and more athletic in movement. Sometimes people mistake opossums for cats or other animals in poor light, but the distinctive hairless tail and the overall body shape resolve any doubt. Learning to recognize the characteristic pointed white face and grayish coat makes identification certain, even at a distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do opossums carry diseases that threaten people? Opossums are remarkably resistant to rabies, and disease transmission to humans is extremely rare. They host some parasites and ticks, but these are not typically transferred to people through contact. Will an opossum attack my pet? Most opossums avoid conflict entirely and will flee from dogs or cats. Predation on pets is possible but uncommon, as opossums prefer smaller, easier prey items. Keeping pets indoors or supervising them outdoors minimizes any risk. What should I do if an opossum is living under my porch? The best approach depends on the season. If babies are present, wait for them to become independent before sealing the opening. Once the family moves on, securing the area with a one-way door allows trapped opossums to leave. Visitwildlifefor guidance. How long do opossums live? In the wild, most live only two to four years, though some reach eight years in protected environments. Predation, disease, and traffic accidents account for most deaths. Their relatively short lifespan means populations shift rapidly.
Plan your opossum sighting in Washington
678 verified opossum records have been logged in Washington, most recently in 2026. See the GBIF records.
Where to look in Washington
- Ebey's Landing National Historical Reserve · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
- Fort Vancouver National Historic Site · Wildlife Watching · Find hotels
- Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail · Wildlife Watching · Find hotels
- Lewis and Clark National Historical Park · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
- Mount Rainier National Park · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
- Nez Perce National Historical Park · Wildlife Watching, Birdwatching · Find hotels
More places to see opossum
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