Do Opossums Hibernate in the Winter?

An opossum faces dire conditions during colder months. The chilly weather usually leads to frostbite on its hairless tail, paws, or ears. The danger is made even more pressing because opossums don’t hibernate in winter. However, they are known to hunker down in their dens to wait out bad weather.

Opossums prioritize dens that offer protection from rain, snow, and cold winds. These may include hollow logs, abandoned animal burrows, rock crevices, or man-made structures like sheds, attics, or crawl spaces. They often choose sites that provide insulation, such as within piles of leaves, under layers of debris, or inside tree cavities, to stay warm. Dens are usually easy for opossums to enter and exit but hard for predators to reach.

As opossums aren’t known to dig holes themselves, they take over the abandoned burrows of other animals. The pests line these dens with twigs and leaves for warmth and can spend days at a time inside to avoid the cold.

How to Recognize an Opossum Den in the Winter

Look for these specific signs if you suspect there is an opossum den on your property. Opossums prefer secure, dry, and warm areas so areas under your house like decks, porches, and crawlspaces are common sites.

Opossums have unique footprints with five toes on both their front and back feet. Their hind feet look similar to human hands, with a distinctive opposable thumb. You may notice a tail drag mark between footprints in soft soil, snow, or mud.

Opossums gather nesting materials like leaves, grass, twigs, and insulation. Look for piles of such debris, particularly in sheltered areas.

Being nocturnal, they use dens primarily for resting during the day and for shelter during harsh weather. Opossums are nomadic and may use a den for short periods before moving to another location.

Opossum Problems in the Winter

Since opossums do not hibernate in winter, it is common for people to see the pests out and about year-round. The animals scavenge in the garbage when food is scarce and are known to den under sheds, porches, and decks.

Opossum Removal and Control

Since they can be found in and around homes, especially during colder months, opossums quickly become pests. To get rid of them, contact the trained professionals at Critter Control. Trying to trap or corner opossums makes the pests aggressive, which in turn can lead to bites, scratches, and the spread of disease.

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