What Do Possums Eat?
Possums belong to the marsupial family and are found throughout Australia, New Guinea, North and South America. They’re widespread across many parts of the world, and when it comes to their diet, they’re very versatile. Today we’re taking a look at what possums usually feed on and what constitutes healthy possum diet.
Possums Are Omnivores
Most of the possum species are omnivorous, meaning they put a lot of variety on their plate and eat both plants and animals. This is great for them as it allows them to make up for nutritional deficiencies often found in plant matter. A healthy possum diet then consists of a mix of plant and animal products. Let’s take a closer look at what each of these groups includes.
Plant Products
When it comes to plants, possums have a large selection available to choose from. Most of the time these include common garden plants such as flowers, fruits, and vegetables. But possums also feed on tree bark, buds, and leaves. Grass and shrub roots, nuts, and even mushrooms are also eaten by some species.
Animal Products
Though possums tend to stick to herbivorous meals, they do eat small amounts of meat and insects. Possums consume eggs, snails, birds, frogs, and fish. They will even feed on carrion (dead animals) if it is available to them.
Sourcing Food
Possums will usually forage for food in their natural environment, but if food is in short supply, they may be attracted to backyard gardens and pet food. If possums are turning up more frequently in your garden, it doesn’t necessarily mean that they’re hungry. It could just mean that the food in nature is not abundant enough at the moment.
Conclusion
Possums are a typical example of an omnivorous species, and they have access to a large variety of food. While they mainly consume plant matter, they will also feed on animal products such as insects, eggs, and carrion. Backyard gardens and pet food can also attract possums if food is in short supply in nature, so it’s important to keep these away from possible attracants.