Possums are omnivores. They eat a variety of foods, including fruit, leaves, and insects. In addition to eating fruit, they also eat insects and other small animals like mice. Possums have even been known to climb trees to reach higher branches or nest sites where they can find birds’ eggs or chicks.
Possums prefer to eat fruits that are high in sugar such as citrus fruits, bananas, pawpaws (papaya), apples, peaches, and berries. In most cases, the fruit that possums eat is native to their habitat. For example, possums in Australia consume berries from the melaleuca tree. They also eat figs and acacia seeds. In North America, possums typically find lychee fruit in their environment.
Possums eat mostly ripe fruits
While possums generally do not eat seeds, they do prefer ripe fruits, including kiwi, bananas, and pineapples. Possums eat most ripe fruits and vegetables, as they contain more carbohydrates than seeds and leaves. The brushtail possum, for example, feeds year-round on Nertera, horopito, and Coprosma spp. In New Zealand, possums feed on a variety of fruits and vegetables, including the putaputaweta fruit. Besides fruit, possums also eat other insects, such as cockroaches, worms, and snails, though they are unable to survive on cow’s milk.
Apples are another good source of vitamin C for possums. They do not eat seeds or the core of apples because they are highly fibrous. Apples also contain a trace of cyanide, which is toxic for small animals. Although possums will happily eat two apples, they won’t touch the seeds. Apples contain good amounts of vitamins, but possums cannot tolerate eating too many apples.
In addition to fruits and vegetables, possums also eat dead animals and compost. Those who have possums in their backyard can look forward to seeing them munching away on the rotten carcasses on the roadsides. As for vegetables, possums can eat all kinds of ripe fruits and vegetables. Tomatoes are a particular favorite. Possums can also eat most other types of fruits and vegetables, though tomatoes are preferred over most vegetables.
Possums are resourceful
The common possum is a prolific forager. It spends a lot of time searching for fruits and vegetables and also eats small rodents, insects, roadkill, and carrion. While their primary diet consists of fruits and vegetables, they are also known to eat vegetation and grasses when they can find them.
Possums also feed on insects, snakes, and other small animals, which makes them one of the most versatile creatures in nature. Although they are a nuisance in our gardens, they also are resourceful eaters of fruit and vegetables. They will also eat unsightly weeds and decaying plants in our gardens and are known to be a valuable source of calcium. In addition to fruit, possums enjoy other types of vegetation such as fuchsia and eucalyptus leaves.
Possums also provide a valuable service to nature by dispersing seeds. By consuming fruits, possums also contribute to the dispersal of seeds, which helps plants grow and spread. As a resourceful eater, possums are also a great help in the garden by eating insects and garden pests. They are an incredibly resourceful and independent species. These animals have been around for millions of years and are often referred to as living fossils.
Possums have a keen sense of smell
Possums are highly nocturnal creatures that rely on their strong sense of smell to find food. Having an excellent sense of smell, possums are adept at identifying food sources and will use their opposable thumbs and strong front paws to dig for food. Their sense of smell is second only to their sight. But, they do have a great sense of touch.
Possums have an excellent sense of smell. They have impressive food memories and can recall the smell of poisonous substances for up to a year. Possums are also immune to most snake venom, except coral snakes. In addition to being highly adaptable, they can also survive in colder climates and eat a wide variety of plants. So, you can’t blame opossums for thriving in the wild.