Virginia Opossum

Virginia Opossum (Didelphis virginiana) is in the Opossums family (Didelphidae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 62,609 research-grade observations of it in our sample, peaking in April.

Seasonal pattern in the national data: year-round resident. Counts also reflect when people are out photographing, so compare months within a state rather than across states.

When to photograph Virginia Opossum: observations by month (U.S.)

About Virginia Opossum

The Virginia opossum (Didelphis virginiana), commonly known as the North American opossum, is a marsupial found in North America. It is the only marsupial found north of Mexico. In the United States, it is typically referred to simply as a possum. It is a solitary and nocturnal animal about the size of a domestic cat. It is a successful opportunist. It is familiar to many North Americans as it is often seen near towns, rummaging through...From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.

Virginia Opossum by state

Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.

Photography tips

• Keep a legal and safe distance: 100 yards from bears and wolves and 25 yards from other large animals in national parks.
• Dawn and dusk are peak activity times for most mammals.
• Use your car as a blind on wildlife drives.

FAQ