Opossum (Possum) in Arkansas
The animal Arkansas homeowners call a possum is the Virginia opossum. It may investigate pet food or shelter beneath a porch or crawlspace. A passing visitor is different from an animal repeatedly entering the home.
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Quick identification
- scientificName
- Didelphis virginiana
- size
- Body commonly about 13–20 inches, plus a long tail
- color
- Grayish coat, pale face, dark ears, mostly hairless tail
- activity
- Mostly nocturnal; often shelters near ground level
- primaryConcern
- Unwanted sheltering, contamination, and bites if handled
How to identify this pest
A pointed pale face, dark rounded ears, gray coat, and long mostly hairless tail distinguish an opossum from a raccoon. Raccoons have a facial mask and ringed furry tail. Young opossums may ride on their mother’s back. Hissing and showing teeth can be defensive behavior; do not approach or handle the animal to judge its temperament.
Why they are in Arkansas homes
Wooded edges, drainage corridors, and suburban yards offer food and shelter across Arkansas. Open crawlspace access, gaps beneath decks, and cluttered sheds can provide temporary shelter. Pet food, fallen fruit, and accessible garbage make repeated visits more likely. Opossums can climb, but ground-level shelter is a more typical homeowner concern than an occupied attic.
Are they dangerous?
Opossums generally avoid conflict, but can bite when cornered or handled. Keep pets away and do not treat a motionless animal as safe to pick up. Rabies is uncommon in opossums, not a reason to ignore an exposure; get medical advice for bites or scratches. Do not use exaggerated claims about disease resistance or tick consumption to decide whether contact is safe.
Why they keep coming back
Accessible food and sheltered openings can encourage repeat visits even if the animal uses several resting places. Chasing one away without securing pet food or evaluating the crawlspace leaves those resources available. A careful occupancy check should come before repairs that could trap an animal.
Professional treatment
Hicks Home Defense Pest Control can help you discuss signs of activity and the appropriate next step. Depending on the species, access, and scope, that may involve inspection, entry-point identification, exclusion recommendations, or referral to a wildlife specialist. This guide does not promise direct trapping, relocation, structural repairs, or contaminated-insulation cleanup. Any exclusion plan should account for dependent young and current Arkansas and local wildlife rules.
Where you may find them
- crawlspace
- yard
- garage
- under decks
Signs of an infestation
- Repeated nighttime visits to the same opening
- An animal sheltering beneath a porch or in a crawlspace
- Disturbed outdoor pet food or unsecured waste
- Tracks along sheltered ground routes
- Odor or waste associated with an occupied shelter
What you can do yourself
- Bring pet food indoors and clean up fallen fruit.
- Secure garbage and feed containers.
- Keep pets away from an opossum rather than trying to corner it.
- Reduce clutter around sheds and crawlspace entries.
- Repair accessible gaps only after confirming the space is unoccupied.
Seasonal activity
fall
Moderate: Sheltered resting sites remain attractive.
spring
Moderate: Females may be caring for young while foraging.
summer
Moderate: Food sources and cover support nighttime visits.
winter
Shelter seeking possible: Cold weather increases the value of protected spaces.
Common questions
Are possums and opossums the same here?
In Arkansas, “possum” commonly refers to the Virginia opossum. The guide uses both names so homeowners can find it.
Does one in my yard mean my house is infested?
No. It may be passing through. Repeated entry into a building or shelter beneath it deserves closer assessment.
Do opossums live in attics?
They can climb, but crawlspaces, sheds, and spaces beneath structures are more typical shelter concerns. Identify the animal rather than guessing.
What if it is not moving?
Keep your distance and keep pets away. Opossums may become motionless defensively; do not assume it is dead or safe to handle.
Can I close the crawlspace door?
First confirm that no animal remains inside. Get help if occupancy is uncertain.
Will Hicks Home Defense trap it?
Contact us to discuss inspection, exclusion advice, or referral. Direct trapping, relocation, and cleanup are not automatically included or promised.
Sources
Last updated 2026-10-07