Virginia Opossum Scat and Tracks: How to Identify Them (Didelphis virginiana)

Opossums have five toes on each foot with a thumb-like, clawless inner toe on the hind foot that points sideways, which makes their tracks unlike any other North American mammal's. Their scat is soft and variable because they eat almost anything. The measurements below for Virginia Opossum are quoted from the wildlife agencies linked at the bottom of the page.

• Front: Front footprint about 2 inches long, 5 toes evenly spaced, overall star-shaped
• Hind: Hind footprint about 2 inches long, 5 toes
• Toes: 5 toes on the hind foot, with the thumb-like toe splayed at a right angle, the three middle toes together, and the fifth toe separate
• Gait: The tail often leaves a slightly wavy drag mark in snow and similar surfaces; left-right footprint spacing about 4 inches, stride about 7 inches

• Uses a den abandoned by another animal: Opossums do not build their own nests; instead they take over dens or nests abandoned by other animals, or use sheds, old buildings, rock crevices, brush piles, hollow trees, or fallen logs

Opossums remain active in winter, while raccoons become dormant and inactive The Raccoon page has its own sign list.

Put something of known size next to it (a coin, a pen, a boot) and shoot straight down in soft light; low side light brings out the shape of tracks in mud or snow. For scat, photograph the whole deposit and one close-up showing contents. Note where it was: on a log, in the open, on a trail, near water. The app suggests the likely animal; confirm with the size and shape notes above.