Even though opossums have an unappealing, rat-like appearance, they are generally not prone to aggression and do not attack humans, but they are still wild animals. Opossums belong to the marsupial family and like kangaroos, they carry their young in their pouches. Marsupials prefer to play dead when confronted, to throw predators off guard and escape.

Opossums like to nest under porches, decks, sheds, and sometimes even attics and garages. Like raccoons, the opossum will eat pet food that is left outside and rummage through garbage and compost. They have also been known to enter chicken coops and prey on birds and destroy their eggs.