Possums are nocturnal animals. That means that they’re active during the nighttime. So this is when you are going to hear or see them around your home. This begs the question of where possums go during the day? In this article, we look at possum activity during the day, and what they get up to.
Possum Homes
Possum behaviour is very simple. There have been studies that have shown they tend to spend similar amounts of time doing a set number of routines. For instance, they spend about three hours and 50 minutes a day eating. They will spend about seven hours and 20 minutes travelling around their territory.
A possum will usually spend a significant amount of time grooming each day (two hours).
Finally, they spend the rest of their day asleep. This is by far the activity that they tend to do the most, which is on average ten and a half hours a day.
The possum will not move between different sleeping locations. But that doesn’t mean that they will sleep for 10 hours straight. They may wake during the day to move or groom during their sleep periods.
Where do Possums Live During the Day?
During the nighttime, they will hunt for food around their territory. They will rapidly move among trees, and not on the ground, by leaping from one branch to another. The reason why they stay in the trees is that it is safer for them as their main predators tend to be on the ground.
However, when it comes to the daytime, possums go to their home. Possums have a home called a den. This can be in a variety of locations, including a hollow branch, tree trunk, fallen log, rock cavity, and sometimes inside a hollow termite mound. They are also known to make their den inside the roof cavity or attic of a home.
The homes that they generally inhabit have one thing in common: they are dark. Possums feel safer when their homes are dark. At the same time, they tend to have a home that is well-covered and protected from their predators.
The Brushtail Possum prefers to live on their own, and not have other possums in their den.
Where do Possums Go During the Daytime When Disturbed?
While a possum does generally have a den that is safe from predators, there are going to be times when the predator might find the home and the possum has to escape. If this is the case, the possum will struggle for a while. The possum will need to find a new home during the day.
Research has found that when a possum is forcibly removed from its home, there is a high chance that the individual will die. That doesn’t mean that they won’t move home, if they find a location that is more suitable, or there is something that is in their home that is making them uncomfortable, they will sneak into a new home.
Why Has a Possum Made a Den in my Home?
One of the reasons why many people want to know where a possum sleeps during the day is because they’ve noticed one around their property and would like to know where it is during the day.
One of the concerns is that the possum has made a den inside the attic or roof space. This is possible as our homes are a perfect location for them. However, roofs are also a good space for another pest, rats.
Therefore, you need to determine if or what is infesting your home. But luckily, this can be done through a few simple checks.
Droppings
The first thing to look out for is droppings around the home. Rats scatter their droppings over a wide area and this is often on paths that they travel. Therefore, it can be hard to determine where rats are living, but usually around human homes, if not inside them.
Possums are very different. They often leave their droppings in small clusters very close to their sleeping location. Therefore, if you find small piles of possum poo, you can be sure that nearby there is a sleeping possum.
Another sign is that in your ceiling you should see significant staining. Possums are well-known to urate a lot during their sleep. In addition to a stain that will appear on your ceiling, you might notice that there is a distinctive smell.
Noises Around the Home
While possums will sleep throughout the day, during the early evening and morning they will be actively coming in and out of their home. Therefore, you can probably hear them about it. Possums can weigh up to four kilograms, which can make a lot of noise, especially compared to rats or other infestations that you might have.
And the response to your presence is unique for possums. While possums will stop when they are disturbed by a human, it doesn’t take long for them to continue with their activities, whether this is sleeping or chewing. This demonstrates that possums don’t tend to see humans as a threat to them. In contrast, rats will often go completely silent.
The Apple Test
There is also the apple test that you can apply to determine whether you have a possum in your home. The Apple Test involves placing an apple somewhere on the ceiling. In the morning, return to the location where the apple was. Rodents like mice and rats will not have consumed the entire apple, instead only part of the apple will be chewed on and there will be lots of teeth marks.
In contrast, possums will take the apple away, eat it all or eat more of it.
Final Word: Where do Possums go During the Day
If you’re wondering where possums live during the day, then you might not be surprised that they tend to spend their day sleeping in their den. This den can be in a tree, termite mound, or your home. Getting rid of them from your home can be challenging, but it is recommended as they can cause significant damage to your home and their droppings are very unhealthy. The Envirobug Garden Sentinel Motion-activated animal sprinkler can help by using an infrared sensor to detect the body heat of animals and birds. Once triggered, it deploys a startling burst of water combined with unexpected noise and motion creating a safe, highly effective deterrent against all kinds of pests. Get them here at Envirobug!
