The First Thing You Need To Do With The Dead Opossum In Your Yard

Opossums (Didelphis virginiana) are misunderstood. Some think they look scary, and others associate them with being dirty. Sure, they do sort of look like big rats, but opossums are actually gentle marsupials who are likely more afraid of you than you are of them. Plus, opossums help keep the environment cleaner and even keep pests off of your property. That's why if you find what looks like a dead opossum in your yard, it'll likely make your heart sink. The first — and most important — thing you should do is not assume the worst. Before breaking down in tears and taking drastic action, remember that opossums have deception down to an art form. They're famous for "playing dead," and their dramatic performance has the same level of commitment that Johnny Depp brings to film.  

When an opossum feels threatened, its body can go into shutdown mode. It plays the part by collapsing onto its side, staring blankly without a single blink, and letting its tongue fall out from its wide-open mouth. The opossum can remain this way for hours, hoping the threat will lose interest and move on. Basically, what looks like a poor, dead animal could really just be its survival plan in action. But there are ways to know the difference. Whether you have an opossum nest somewhere in your yard or the little critter is simply passing through, you should know what to do if one is really dead or just pretending to be.

A quick scroll through social media shows you plenty of posts highlighting opossums' cuteness and their silly dispositions. That's why it's heartbreaking to find one that isn't moving in your yard. Before you decide to bid a final farewell, making sure it's actually dead is super important before taking action. And it's not as easy as you think. 

An opossum's catatonic-like state is an involuntary response to danger. The opossum is fully conscious, but its heart and respiratory rates drop, making it harder to tell without using a stethoscope whether it's dead. Some opossums will even release a smell that mimics decay. The best thing you can do is "to leave it in a quiet place with a clear exit path," suggests the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance. If it's alive, the opossum will leave when it's ready, sometimes lying there for up to four hours, so be patient before intervening.

A legit dead opossum will stay in the same position for a while and eventually show signs that it's not going to pick itself up and carry on. While super sad, the opossum should be removed carefully.  You can pay a professional, but if you want to remove it yourself, wear disposable gloves and closed-toe shoes. You should also take steps to avoid touching it directly, like picking it up with a shovel. Then, find out how to prevent a opossum problem in your yard before it even begins to prevent future distress.