Virginia opossums have a fairly lifespan. They can live no more than 2 to 4 years largely because they haven’t developed a special defense against potential predators. However, the population inhabiting Sapelo Island is thought to have longer lifespan because they don’t have any natural predators.
What Eats Possums? – What Eats Opossum?
Some of the predators of Virginia opossums are owls, coyotes, hawks, and foxes. Unlike adults, the young possums are most likely to fall prey to potential predators. Young opossums have predators such as birds of prey particularly eagles and falcons. Snakes and pythons also eat possums.
Other possum predators are dogs, feral cats, raccoons, bobcats, Rufous Owl, Spotted-tailed Quoll, raptors, great horned owls, and snakes not to mention humans. Many possums are killed by vehicles every year.
Australian possums can fall prey to dingoes, cats, foxes, and pythons. In Australia, large birds of prey seldom prey on possums.
