Virginia opossums (Didelphis virginiana) are the only marsupials found in the United States, and we take pride in sharing our yard with them. Although they are nocturnal and we rarely see them, our camera traps confirm their presence. Recently, we captured a fascinating behavior of an opossum: the use of its tail. Be sure to check out the video below that showcases the opossum’s tail in action!
Using Their Tail to Carry Nesting Material
Opossums utilize their prehensile tails to transport nesting materials—such as leaves, twigs, and corn husks—back to their dens. Here’s how they do it: they pick up leaves with their mouths, transfer them to their front feet, and then move them to their back feet. Finally, they wrap their tail around the bundle of leaves and carry it as if their tail were a fifth limb!
We’ve observed this behavior multiple times through our trail cameras. The latest footage shows an opossum collecting leaves and taking them to its den, which is located about 10 feet from our home. In the fall, we intentionally leave leaves on the ground so opossums, woodchucks, and squirrels can use them for their nests. Notably, opossums do not dig their own dens; our neighbor’s woodchuck burrow serves as their home. The leaves help line the den, providing extra insulation during the cold winter months.
Balancing While Climbing Trees
Although young opossums can hang from their tails (if encouraged), adult opossums are generally too heavy for this. Instead, they use their tails primarily for balance and stabilization as they climb branches.
Caution: Opossum Tails Are Not Handles
Please note that grabbing a fully grown opossum by the tip of its tail can cause significant harm by dislocating its tail bones.
To learn more about opossums, check out our article “Possum vs Opossum: What’s the Difference?”
