The Possum: New Orleans' Ugly, Misunderstood, Mosquito-Eating Neighbor

The Misunderstood Marsupial

The possum is New Orleans' most unfairly maligned neighbor. They're ugly — let's get that out of the way first. With their ratlike tails, beady eyes, and tendency to hiss when cornered, possums look like something designed by a committee that couldn't agree on what animal they were making. They regularly get confused for cats, which is an insult to both species. They live in palm trees, dig through garbage, and appear on your porch at night with the confidence of someone who pays rent.

But here's the thing: possums are actually one of the most beneficial creatures in the New Orleans ecosystem. They eat mosquitoes — thousands of them per season. They eat ticks, which carry Lyme disease. They eat cockroaches, snails, and other genuine pests with the enthusiasm of someone at an all-you-can-eat buffet. They're basically a free, self-operating pest control service disguised as a creature that looks like it lost a fight with evolution.

Possum Encounters

The typical New Orleans possum encounter goes like this: you open your garbage can and something hisses at you from inside. Or you walk onto your porch and one is sitting there, frozen, staring at you with an expression that could be fear, defiance, or complete indifference — it's genuinely impossible to tell. If you get too close, they may "play possum" — the involuntary catatonic state that gave the phrase to the English language — which is their version of dealing with confrontation by simply refusing to participate.

New Orleanians have a complicated relationship with possums. They're not exactly welcome, but they're not exactly unwelcome either. They're tolerated the way you tolerate an eccentric relative who shows up uninvited but always brings something useful to the table. In the possum's case, that useful thing is eating the mosquitoes that would otherwise be eating you.

Frequently Asked Questions About Possums in New Orleans

Are possums dangerous?

Possums are generally not dangerous. They may hiss when cornered but rarely bite. They are highly resistant to rabies due to their low body temperature. They're more scared of you than you are of them — probably.

Do possums eat mosquitoes?

Yes. Possums are voracious consumers of mosquitoes, ticks, cockroaches, and other pest insects, making them one of the most beneficial wild animals in urban New Orleans.

What should I do if I find a possum on my porch?

Leave it alone. It will likely move on by morning. Secure your garbage cans and remove any pet food left outside. Possums are nocturnal and typically avoid human contact.