Possums can be found throughout North America, in fact, they are the only marsupial that lives in North America. But why don’t we see them?

We know that these animals live in human habitats, but not many of us know where they go during the day. You may be asking yourself, where do possums go during the day? This article looks into it. 

Both wild and urban possums can be found hiding out and sleeping somewhere safe, enclosed, and secure from predators during the day. 

Where do possums go during the day?

Long gone are the days of possums living solely in the wild far away from human habitats. Because of rapid urbanization, these animals have had to live in areas closer to humans. 

These animals aren’t built to be awake during the day, they aren’t able to see during the day as well as they do at night. They sleep during the day. Here are a few places where possums will hideout and sleep during the day: 

Hollow Trees: 

Although a possum cannot jump very high it can definitely climb pretty well, in fact, they are superb climbers. They have a tail that is able to grab onto things and opposable thumbs which allow them to grab onto things. This makes them excellent climbers.

They will climb into hollow trees in an effort to keep away from predators. Sleeping in trees allows them to have an uninterrupted sleep during the day

Burrows:

Possums don’t dig holes in the ground with the aim to create a burrow to live in, however, they will use the empty burrows of other animals and sleep in there during the day.

Possums will use burrows created by groundhogs, armadillos, moles, or other creatures that dig burrows

Under bush piles:

If possums can’t find a suitable place to sleep in hollow trees, or in burrows of other animals, then they will make their way into an open space under a bush pile.

The possum’s fur, whether black and white or brown, is camouflaged by the sticks in the bush pile, this makes it difficult for predators to find them giving possums the opportunity to sleep. 

Rock crevices: 

If a possum can squeeze in between the narrow gap or crack in a large rock then it will sleep there to keep away from predators.

Even if a predator does manage to find the possum in the crevice, if the possum is deep enough, and if the crevice opening is narrow enough, then the predator will not be able to get to the possum

Under decks: 

Possums that live in urban areas will look for refuge under your decks as well. Spaces under decks are quite large, are generally dark, and are safe from predators.

Decks aren’t used throughout the day and this allows possums to sleep soundly under them for the whole day

Under backyard steps: 

The underside of backyard steps is another place where possums can lay their head to sleep during the day.

These spaces are usually more enclosed and cramped but they are a perfect place for these animals, (who are around the size of a cat), to fit in during the day. 

Do possums come out during the day? 

Yes, possums sometimes do come out during the day. 

Some people become very anxious when they see a possum out during the day, there are many who think that this animal must be rabid or sick in some other way if it is out during the day.

The idea that a possum will only be out during the day if it is sick is not correct. Possums can make their way outside during the day because of a variety of reasons, possums can be out during the day because:

It is a young possum that has been separated from its mother:

Baby possums can become separated from their mothers because of a variety of reasons, these include the baby falling off of the mother’s back as she travels with them or if the mother possum has been struck by a car or injured by a predator.

If this happens, the young possum will be left to wander around alone 

Looking for their baby: 

If a mother possum realizes that one of her babies has fallen off of her back while she is traveling then she will wander around her area looking for the baby.

Possum mothers are good parents who make sure that their kids are well taken care of especially in the early stages. 

Looking for food and water: 

Possums are nocturnal, they look for and eat food at night. If the possum doesn’t find enough food on its evening hunts, then it will look for food during the day as well.

This happens with other nocturnal creatures, like raccoons, as well. It is not a cause for alarm. 

Disturbed by other animals: 

A possum will try its best to find a suitable, predator-free, and safe place to rest its head and sleep during the day. Unfortunately, they aren’t always too successful, sometimes predators find them, startle them and chase the marsupial away.

If this happens, the possum will find itself wandering around looking for a new place to sleep in the middle of the day. 

Wintertime: 

The lower winter temperatures are not enjoyed by humans nor possums.

Possums will be out and about more during the wintertime in order to take advantage of the warmer weather during the day. Foraging in the dead of night, when its freezing cold, is not preferred by possums 

Conclusion 

In conclusion, because possums are nocturnal animals they can usually be found sleeping during the day.

Wild and urban possums sleep in different locations, wild possums choose rock crevices, hollow trees, under bush piles, and in burrows. Urban possums choose spaces under decks, and under stairs to sleep. 

If you see a possum out during the day, it will likely be looking for food, will likely be a possum disturbed by a predator and looking for a new place to sleep, an orphaned young possum, or a mother possum looking for her baby.