10/18/2026
It’s National Opossum Day! ✨
Did you know Opossums are steadily moving further north into Ontario, BC, and Quebec? While climate change is helping them expand north, Canadian winters still pose a massive physical challenge for these newcomers. Because their evolutionary roots are in the tropical climates of South America, they haven't yet adapted to extreme cold. They do not hibernate, they don't store food, and their naked ears and long, hairless tails are highly prone to severe frostbite. As Canada's only native marsupial, they are trying their absolute best to adapt to the Great White North.
Local wildlife rescues like the National Wildlife Centre treat dozens of opossums every winter for severe frostbite.
How to help your local pouch-buddies this season:
🍂 Leave the Leaves: Keep piles of leaves and twigs in your yard - they use their prehensile tails to carry them to build warm, insulated dens.
🏡 Check under Porches: They love to hitch a ride or find shelter under decks to escape the freezing wind
🚗 Practice Wildlife Awareness - Slow Down on Roads: Cold weather makes opossums less agile and slower to react. Drive carefully at night, especially during freezing temperatures
🏠 Check Before Sealing Entry Points: If you need to patch up a gap under your deck, shed, or garage, always check thoroughly to ensure an opossum isn't already sleeping inside
☀️ Don't Panic if You See One by Day: Opossums are nocturnal, but in colder weather, they often shift their activity to the warmer daylight hours to forage when food is scarce. If you see one walking around during the day, it is likely just hungry.
🛑 Avoid Poisons or Traps - Never use chemical rodenticides or outdoor poisons. Opossums are nature’s ultimate clean-up crew: they eat pesky insects. Keeping your yard poison-free protects these gentle, solitary survivors while they keep your local ecosystem healthy.
