Possums, with their furry tails and masked faces, can be found scurrying around many backyards. Though they are quiet animals, possums have their fair share of natural predators. If you’ve ever wondered exactly what eats possums, you’ve come to the right place.
If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer to your question: possums are preyed upon by coyotes, foxes, dogs, cats, owls, hawks, and snakes.
Mammals That Prey on Possums
Coyotes
As opportunistic hunters, coyotes will readily prey on possums when the chance arises. With excellent senses of smell and hearing, coyotes can sniff out hiding possums and dig them out of dens. Though possums will hiss, growl and bare their teeth when threatened, their bluffing stand has little effect on coyotes.
Weighing up to 50 pounds, coyotes easily overpower the opossum, which averages from 4 to 15 pounds.
Foxes
Foxes are crafty hunters that will catch and eat possums of opportunity. They use their superior sense of smell to seek out possums in burrows and tree hollows. An article on the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife website notes that possums made up 3% of the diet of red foxes in one research study[1].
Though foxes are smaller than coyotes, averaging 7 to 15 pounds, they can still overcome a hissing possum through sheer determination.
Dogs
Many dogs retain their predatory drive to hunt and kill small game like possums. Breeds like terriers, blood hounds and pit bulls are especially prone to harassing, attacking and sometimes killing opossums that stray onto their property.
Statistics show that over 700,000 dog bites occur in the U.S. each year[2], indicating dogs do commonly attack wildlife as well as pets and people. Responsible pet owners should keep their dogs leashed, fenced or indoors to prevent them from preying on defenseless opossums.
Cats
While pet cats primarily hunt and kill small rodents, birds and lizards for food, feral cats are opportunistic predators that will attack and eat opossums when they can capture them. In fact, a study published in 2021 estimated feral cats in the U.S. kill from 6 to 22 billion mammals per year, primarily small species like possums.
So cats certainly contribute to possum deaths, though they mainly target juvenile possums rather than full-grown adults.
Birds That Eat Possums
Owls
Owls are efficient nocturnal hunters that regularly prey on possums. In particular, the powerful great horned owl poses a major threat. Their sharp talons and razor-sharp beaks make quick work of possums.
Studies show that over 75% of great horned owl pellets and leftovers contain possum bones and fur. In addition, barred owls, spotted owls, barn owls, and screech owls opportunistically hunt possums when their ranges overlap.
Why are owls such effective possum predators? First, owls have spectacular night vision to track and ambush their prey. Their specially adapted feathers enable silent flight. This allows them to swoop down and strike swiftly.
Furthermore, an owl’s powerful grip and sharp claws can pierce a possum’s skin and kill on impact. Possums caught out in the open have little hope of escaping an owl’s rapid assault.
Hawks
Although less common, some hawks do take possums as prey. In particular, the red-tailed hawk and red-shouldered hawk occasionally hunt possums. Both species are versatile, opportunistic predators. A 2014 study in New York state found possum remains in over 18% of red-tailed and red-shouldered hawk nests.
In general, most hawks prefer small rodents and rabbits. However, larger species like red-tailed hawks can overpower adult possums. Swooping down at high speeds helps them seize the slow-moving marsupial in their powerful talons. Typically they aim to strike the head or neck for a swift kill.
If the possum plays dead, they simply finish it off. Though they may not seek out possums frequently, hawks likely attack when hungry and possums are abundant.
Reptiles That Prey on Possums
Snakes are one of the most common reptilian predators of possums in many parts of North America. As opportunistic hunters, snakes will prey upon small mammals, birds, amphibians and other reptiles that they can overpower.
Possums, while not a preferred food source, may sometimes fall victim to the following snake species:
Rat Snakes
Rat snakes (also called chicken snakes or corn snakes) are efficient hunters of small rodents, but they will also eat birds, bird eggs, lizards and frogs. As possums sometimes raid bird nests for eggs and chicks, they can encounter rat snakes hunting the same prey.
These nonvenomous constrictors can grow over 8 feet long and could potentially swallow a juvenile or smaller adult possum.
Kingsnakes
Kingsnakes get their name from their propensity to hunt and eat other snakes, including venomous species like rattlesnakes. They also feed on lizards, rodents, birds and eggs. The Eastern kingsnake and California kingsnake reach lengths of 3-5 feet on average and could overpower a young or smaller possum.
Gopher & Bull Snakes
As suggested by their names, gopher snakes and bull snakes prey heavily on gophers, pocket mice, and other rodents that live in burrows. As opportunistic hunters, they will also sometimes target larger prey like small possums if given the chance.
These nonvenomous colubrids can grow up to 8 feet long.
Copperheads
Copperhead snakes are moderately venomous pit vipers found throughout the eastern and central United States. They prefer to eat small rodents like mice and voles, but are not averse to eating larger prey like frogs, lizards, snakes and terrestrial birds.
Copperheads may also strike at a passing possum near their hiding spot, injecting their hemotoxic venom which could be lethal to a smaller marsupial.
Conclusion
In summary, possums have a wide variety of natural predators. Mammals like coyotes, foxes, dogs and cats all hunt possums. Birds including owls and hawks swoop down to grab possums. And snakes slither after possums as well.
The next time you spot a possum, remember the many animals that see it as prey! We hope this guide gave you a comprehensive look at the main predators of possums.
