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Writer's pictureSolocalwildlife

Do opossums hang from trees upside down when they sleep?


Opossums have a prehensile tail, which comes in very handy. Opossums can use their tail to wrap around branches, grasp and carry objects, and help stabilize as they climb in trees, bushes or even your house.


To answer the question, "Do opossums really sleep hanging upside down from their tails?" No it is just a myth, opossums do not sleep hanging from her tails.


Often depicted in cartoons and images hanging from their tails, the muscles in the tail just aren't strong enough to support an adult opossums body weight. Occasionally young smaller opossums have been seen dangling temporarily from their tails.


So where do opossums sleep? They sleep in hollow tree trunks, burroughs or dens. While these natural habitats are sufficient, any animal would prefer a heated or cooled environment such as your crawl space or attic.


Although not instinctively destructive or aggressive, once an opossum has gained entrance into your attic or crawlspace, they leave droppings, nesting material and carry or leave behind ectoparasites and/or zoonotic pathogens. Opossums often destroy HVAC flex ducting by nesting on top, therefore by default tearing them with their weight.

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