Should you keep an opossum as a pet?

Content Updated: September 3, 2025

Key takeaways

• Opossums are not suitable pets. They are wild animals with complex dietary and health needs, a short lifespan, and cannot be domesticated.
• Their behavior is wild, not aggressive. Opossums are naturally shy and will usually try to escape rather than confront a human.
• Legality varies by state. In most places, it is illegal to own an opossum as a pet without a special permit, and some states outright prohibit owning native wildlife.
• Leave them alone. If you find a healthy opossum, the best action is to leave it alone. For injured or orphaned opossums, you should contact a wildlife rehabilitator or a wildlife control professional.

If you’ve found a young abandoned opossum, you may wonder, “Can I keep an opossum as a pet?” While they’re typically non-aggressive and can be docile, they are better left in nature and not in captivity.

Can opossums be pets? Is it legal?

Most wildlife experts and veterinarians strongly advise against keeping opossums as pets. Whether it is legal to own one is not uniform across the United States. Laws vary significantly by state and can even differ between cities and counties. In most places, it is illegal to own any native wildlife, including opossums, without a special permit.

Based on state and federal regulations, having an opossum as a pet is generally prohibited or requires a special license in states such as:

• Arizona
• California
• Colorado
• Virginia (Illegal to trap and relocate)
• Wisconsin (Illegal to own if taken from the wild)

In other states, such as Indiana and Texas, it is possible to own an opossum as a pet with the proper permits. However, these permits are typically reserved for certified wildlife rehabilitators and other wildlife professionals. Check with your state's Department of Natural Resources or Fish and Wildlife Commission for the most current and accurate local laws.

Do opossums make good pets?

Opossums are nocturnal and solitary marsupials known for their defensive display of "playing dead." They are opportunistic omnivores who spend their time foraging for food and seeking shelter. Opossums are naturally shy and tend to avoid humans, usually trying to escape rather than engage.

Do opossums make good pets? They cannot be domesticated because they are wild animals that have not been selectively bred over generations for life with humans. Opossums can form a bond with their caretakers if they are socialized from a very young age, but this is more of a dependency than an actual bond.

How do opossums compare to cats?

Unlike domesticated cats, opossums are wild animals with a short lifespan and complex dietary needs. While both can be solitary, a cat's behavior has been shaped by thousands of years of domestication. Opossums retain their natural behaviors and instincts even when raised in captivity. While opossums are not aggressive, they may bite, hiss, or growl if they feel cornered or threatened.

Opossums also cannot be reliably potty trained like cats or dogs, as they do not have the same instinct to use a designated area. They will urinate and defecate wherever they are.

What to do if you find an opossum

If you see a healthy opossum in your yard or property, it's best to leave it alone. They will likely move on during the night. To help prevent future opossums in your yard, you can securely seal trash cans, avoid leaving pet food out overnight, and trim overgrown shrubs and grass.

If you find a baby, injured, or sick opossum, do not attempt to handle it or keep the opossum as a pet. Opossums may carry pathogens that can cause human diseases such as leptospirosis, tuberculosis, relapsing fever, tularemia, spotted fever, toxoplasmosis, coccidiosis, trichomoniasis, and Chagas disease. Your best option is to contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator, a veterinarian who treats wildlife, or a pest control professional.

Our experienced technicians can help safely remove and/or exclude opossums and other wildlife from your property. Schedule your free wildlife inspection today to get started.