Possums are omnivores with a highly varied diet that includes both plant and animal matter. Their primary foods consist of eggs, grains, nuts, fruits, birds, snakes, frogs, mice, and carrion (dead animals). They also consume insects, worms, crustaceans, small mammals, and birds
. In addition to natural foods, possums often take advantage of human- associated food sources such as garbage, pet food, bird seed, corn, and poultry. They are known to scavenge roadkill, which provides them with calcium-rich skeletal remains essential for their diet
. Australian possums, which differ slightly from North American opossums, tend to be more herbivorous, feeding mostly on leaves (like eucalyptus), fruits (apples, grapes, cherries, blackberries), vegetables, and occasionally insects or small animals
. Baby possums rely on their mother's milk initially and start eating solid foods like insects, fruits, and small animals after about two to three months
. In summary, possums eat a wide range of foods including:
- Fruits, berries, and vegetables
- Leaves and plant matter (especially for Australian possums)
- Eggs and small animals (birds, frogs, mice, insects)
- Carrion and roadkill
- Human food scraps and pet food
This omnivorous and adaptable diet helps possums thrive in diverse environments, from forests to urban areas
