Raccoon vs. Opossum: What's in My Yard?
You hear a noise by the garbage cans at night. Is it a masked bandit or a giant rat-like creature? Raccoons and opossums are the two most common nocturnal visitors in Louisville. Here is how to tell them apart.
đĻ The Raccoon
- Appearance: Black "mask" over eyes, ringed tail, gray/brown fur.
- Behavior: Dexterous front paws (like hands), very intelligent, curious, can be aggressive.
- Movement: Waddles but can run fast; excellent climber.
- Damage: Tips trash cans, tears open roofs, rolls up sod.
đž The Opossum
- Appearance: White face, pointed nose, naked rat-like tail, gray fur.
- Behavior: Slow-moving, plays dead when threatened, hisses, generally non-aggressive.
- Movement: Slow waddle, clumsy climber compared to raccoons.
- Damage: Scavenges trash, lives under decks/sheds, rarely breaks into attics.
Identifying by Tracks
Raccoon: Looks like a small human handprint with 5 long fingers.
Opossum: Looks like a hand with a widely spread thumb (opposable toe) on the hind foot.
Which is Worse?
Raccoons are generally more destructive. They have the strength and intelligence to rip open vents and shingles to enter your attic. They also carry roundworm and rabies.
Opossums are mostly nuisance scavengers. They rarely break into homes but will happily move into an open crawl space or under a porch. They are actually beneficial as they eat thousands of ticks!
Have Either One?
Whether it's a raccoon in the attic or an opossum under the deck, we can help relocate them safely.