Do you often hear odd scratching and shuffling sounds in your home? It could be an opossum that has welcomed itself into your property. While your hedge and fence might serve as a deterrent, your trees can become an access point to these small creatures.
But can opossum climb trees? The answer is a definite yes. If you’re wondering how this happens and how you can prevent or get rid of them, take a look at our short guide below.
Can Opossum Climb Trees?
The first thing you’ll need to know is that there’s a difference between a possum and an opossum. Both belong to the same family of marsupials, which means they have a pouch they carry their young in.
Possums live in Australia while opossums are largely found in Canada and the United States.
Although they look like giant rats, opossums are not rodents- they’re of the marsupial kind.
They have special digits called halux, or basically opposable thumbs but in toe form. They mainly use this to climb up vertical surfaces such as walls or trees.
Opossums can climb trees and are very good at it. They might not be able to get on smoother surfaces, such as painted walls but they can grab on and traverse rough and uneven terrain using their feet, claws and tail quickly. Their journey becomes much easier if there are horizontal breaks, such as shingles, roofs and walls.
It’s worth noting that opossums are agile and can cover distances in only a few seconds. They usually stay in trees but are known to nest in sheds, porches, attics and even walls.
Why Do Opossum Climb Trees?
Opossums climb trees for a number of reasons:
To Seek Safety and Protection
Opossums are small mammals that are like cats in size. They’re similar to other creatures like raccoons in that they seek higher ground in order to avoid being seen by natural predators.
Instinctively, opossums get to a tree whenever they sense danger and want to escape from dogs. Up high in the trees, they have few enemies and can rest and think about what they want to do next.
To Forage for Food
One of the main reasons why opossums climb trees is so they could get its fruit or edible seeds. These mammals are often hungry and have young ones to feed, and so they forage and climb trees as a result.
Homeowners with fruit trees or shrubs that produce vegetables may find themselves staring at an opossum. However, they are nocturnal creatures so an encounter is uncommon.
To Rest and Look at Their Surroundings
Opossums feel safer on tree branches and typically rest there throughout night time. Technically speaking, they don’t live in trees but only use them for climbing and reaching other areas.
Aside from trees, opossums also love climbing on fences and shrubs with thick stems and branches.
To Find a Place to Live
Opossums live in dens, which are pre-lived by other animals. Or, they could nest in man-made structures such as basements and attics. The good news is that they typically don’t live in trees and only stay for a couple of days in one area.
You might see a baby opossum hanging upside down in a tree branch using their tail once in a while, but they don’t stick around that long either.
How to Stop Opossums From Entering Your Property
There are several things you can do to discourage an opossum from climbing your tree and getting into your lawn.
You can start by covering the tree trunk with heavy plastic or thin metal sheets, which will make the sharp claws and halux ineffective. They’ll most likely slide off and give up in frustration, or move to another tree that doesn’t have it.
Cleaning up your yard or garden once in a while will serve as a natural deterrent against opossums. Make it a point to trim hanging tree branches that are close to your house or fence, as well as ground-accessible platforms they can get a claw on.
Lastly, limit the amount of food source in your outdoor area. Put pet food indoors, cover and secure garbage bins and remove fallen fruits and seeds as they appear. With this method you give them less reason to hang around.
Related Article: Do Chipmunks Climb Trees?