As North America's only marsupial, the opossum is unique and widely misunderstood. They play many helpful roles in our ecosystems. If you're a gardener, you'll enjoy having a possum in your yard, as slugs and ticks are among their favorite foods!
 

They are non-aggressive, playing dead when confronted by predators. Sadly, though, many of these slow-moving adults (with extremely poor eyesight) are killed on roads and by pet dogs and cats. Because a female carries her babies in her pouch, they are often found by passers-by when the pouch relaxes, and the babies can easily crawl out.
 

It's important to make sure that the mother is truly dead before taking her babies. Though rare, we have been brought babies taken from the pouch of a possum who was just playing possum! Tragically, when the mom woke, she quickly ran away (startling those who were burying her) without her babies.
 

It is safe to assume mom is truly dead if she is stiff and cold or with flies and maggots on her body. Because some babies choose to stay in the pouch while others crawl out and sit on her body, they are often left behind. To check for babies left behind, check inside of her pouch by pulling it open like you would a shirt pocket, look inside her pouch and under and around her body.