Discovering Urban Wildlife
The Night We Met Our Backyard Opossum
A mom’s story from Backyard Science Stories
It was just after dusk when I heard the whisper-yell from the sliding glass door:
“Mom… there’s something in the backyard.”
I expected raccoon. Maybe a stray cat.
Instead, there it was — waddling slowly along the fence line, pink nose twitching, white face glowing in the porch light.
An opossum.
My two 8-year-olds froze in awe. Not fear. Not disgust. Awe.
“It looks like it’s smiling!” one whispered.
And just like that, our ordinary Tuesday night turned into a backyard science adventure.
A Backyard Visitor Worth Celebrating
Opossums get a bad reputation. But what we discovered that night completely changed how we see them.
The Virginia opossum (Virginia opossum) is:
- The only marsupial native to North America
- A quiet, non-aggressive backyard visitor
- A powerful helper in controlling pests
Instead of shooing it away, we turned off the porch light, sat quietly inside, and watched.
That moment became a science lesson my kids will never forget.
Turning an Opossum Sighting into a Learning Experience
Here’s how you can transform a surprise backyard encounter into meaningful, story-inspired learning.
1. Start with Observation, Not Assumption
Ask your child:
- What do you notice first?
- How does it move?
- What is it sniffing for?
- Is it alone?
Have them sketch what they see in a nature journal.
This builds:
- Observation skills
- Patience
- Scientific thinking
2. Share the “Wow” Facts
Here are kid-friendly facts that made my kids gasp:
🦷 Opossums have 50 teeth — more than any other North American land mammal.
🌙 They are nocturnal (active at night).
🦠 They help reduce ticks — which can lower the spread of Lyme disease.
🍎 They eat fallen fruit, insects, slugs, and even small rodents.
🎭 They don’t actually “play dead” on purpose — it’s an involuntary response to extreme fear.
Suddenly, this “scary” animal became a backyard superhero.
3. Connect to Bigger Science Concepts
An opossum visit opens the door to:
- Food webs
- Ecosystem balance
- Nocturnal vs. diurnal animals
- Native species
- Adaptations (prehensile tail, opposable thumbs!)
You can even compare them to kangaroos — both are marsupials.
Painting the Opossum as a Beneficial Backyard Neighbor
That night, my kids asked:
“Is it going to hurt our dog?”
“Will it attack us?”
Here’s the truth:
Opossums are:
- Non-aggressive
- Shy
- Interested in avoiding conflict
They would rather freeze, hiss defensively, or faint than fight.
They are excellent natural pest control — quietly cleaning up your yard.
When children understand this, fear turns into respect.
How to Observe an Opossum Safely
Safety and respect are key.
Here’s what we did — and what you can teach your kids:
✔ Observe from indoors
Watch through a window or from a porch at a distance.
✔ Use dim lighting
Bright lights can stress wildlife.
✔ Stay quiet
Whispers only. No tapping on windows.
✔ Do not feed
Feeding wildlife changes their natural behavior.
✔ Keep pets inside
Protect both your pets and the opossum.
✔ Never approach or corner
Give the animal an escape route.
The goal is observation — not interaction.
The Deeper Lesson
That night, after the opossum wandered off into the dark, my kids didn’t run back to screens.
They asked questions.
They grabbed paper.
They wanted to research marsupials.
They wanted to know what else might visit our yard when we’re asleep.
That’s the magic of backyard science.
Not worksheets.
Not lectures.
Wonder.
Try This Backyard Activity
Opossum Observation Journal Page
Have your child:
- Draw the opossum.
- Label its adaptations.
- Write three questions.
- Research one answer the next day.
- Reflect: Why is this animal important to our ecosystem?
You can even pair this with a children’s nonfiction book about nocturnal animals.
A Gentle Reminder for Parents
When wildlife shows up, we have a choice:
React with fear
or
Respond with curiosity.
The backyard is a living classroom.
And sometimes, the best lessons arrive on quiet pink feet after sunset.
If you’ve had a backyard wildlife moment, I’d love to hear about it.
At Backyard Science Stories, we believe science starts just outside your door — one story at a time. 🌿
After seeing our yard opossum, we were just obsessed with these amazing creatures! To further your family’s opossum enjoyment, Backyard Science Stories recommends the following book https://amzn.to/4tDKImy. We don’t see the opossum everyday, but we can read an amazing story over and over!
As an Amazon Affiliate, I may receive compensation from any purchases.