Possums are tree-living marsupial species found only in Australia, the Indonesian islands of New Guinea, and Sulawesi. Possums are nocturnal they are active at night and rest during the day. They prefer to rest insecure dark and dry places such as hollows, rock cavities, and roofs. We have gathered complete information on What do possums eat and list down all the items that are part of the possum’s diet? Furthermore, we will discuss its favorite food items of different species, what do baby possums eat, and other interesting information.
What Do Possums Eat
Possums are usually herbivorous or omnivorous. Their diets include a wide variety of foods, such as:
- fruits
- flowers
- nuts
- small rodents,
- insects
- worms
- slugs
- snails
- frogs
- birds
Possums are scavengers and will eat just about anything. They frequently visit odorous trash cans, uncovered compost heaps, or other containers that are kept outside your house.
They also eat vegetables, berries, garbage, pet food, and birdseed. Some possums feed on birds’ eggs, chicks, and small vertebrates. They have a high tolerance for venom and the ability to ingest, highly toxic leaves.
What do Brushtail Possum Eat
The common brushtail possum has the most generalized diet of all possums. It prefers to eat plants’ matter. Its favorite food is the Australian mistletoe.
What do Mountain Pygmy Possums Eat
The mountain pygmy possums like to eat Bogong moths, which is almost 30% of their diet. It further supplements its diet, with seeds, buds, and fruits. They also eat mountain plum wine, snow beard heaths, and fruit-bearing confiner.
What do Tasmanian Pygmy Possums Eat
The Tasmanian pygmy possum diet consists of pollen and nectar from eucalyptus, and melaleuca. It also eats insects.
What do Northern Brushtail Possum
The northern brushtail possum likes to eat leaves, seeds, flowers, fruits, and many others. They are mostly found near urban areas as their primary foods are found in gardens.
What to Feed Possums
Possums aren’t picking eaters. They can be lured by fish or apples as bait. Pet food can also work well in luring them. They also like sweet things such as fresh fruit, apple, jam, and peanut butter.
If you are keeping them as pets, the best things you can feed them are foods that are high in proteins and low in fats. They would love to eat dry foods like kibble, fruits, and certain vegetables. However, It is not advised to feed them regularly.
To maintain a more balanced diet, possums have to forage for themselves and should get a small amount of food from you. Their natural mix of food predominantly consists of native leaves with some flowers and small amounts of fruits and insects.
If you provide them with a good supply of tasty food, they will eventually get lazy and will wait for you to feed them, instead of foraging for themselves.
If you are taking care of orphaned possums, feed them soy milk or a formula recommended by a vet. Make sure fresh water is available for them at all times. Also, feed the possum babies with a dropper by dripping the liquid straight into their mouths.
