Opossum Problem? Trappeur de Ville Is the Solution!
Opossums are marsupials that have recently appeared on Montreal's South Shore. Sightings and captures must be reported to Quebec's wildlife ministry.
Opossums are marsupials that have recently appeared on Montreal's South Shore. Sightings and captures must be reported to Quebec's wildlife ministry.
This adaptable newcomer is an omnivorous opportunist that may shelter beneath sheds and decks or inside unused buildings.
Opossums may feed on fruit, vegetables and other crops, damaging gardens and plantings.
They are famous for convincingly playing dead when threatened. Since 2021, sightings have also occurred on Montreal's North Shore.
Capture methods are similar to those used for raccoons.
To discourage opossums, use fencing, remove debris and manage food waste carefully.
If one is already established on the property, contact a professional to reduce disease transmission and the risk of injury.
Opossum gestation lasts only 12 to 13 days. The young are born underdeveloped, hairless and blind, measuring about two centimetres and weighing approximately 0.13 grams.
The newborns crawl into their mother's pouch, attach to a teat and nurse for two to three months. During this period, their body weight increases more than 500-fold.
After leaving the pouch, the young remain near their mother for several months while learning to feed and survive. Females may have several litters per year, and the young become independent at four to five months.
