Possums live primarily in the Americas, with species found in a variety of habitats. The Virginia opossum, common in North America, inhabits forests, grasslands, and urban areas including backyards and suburbs. They are adaptable and can live near human populations, often finding shelter in trees, hollow logs, brush piles, attics, garages, and under decks. Possums are arboreal, meaning they live in trees, but they also use other safe places for shelter and nesting. They thrive in woodland areas near water sources like streams and swamps, and their range extends from Canada in the north to Central and South America in the south. In Canada, Virginia opossums are mostly found in southern regions such as southern Ontario, southern British Columbia, and parts of Quebec, likely due to their adaptability and climate changes expanding their range. Australian possums, which are different from the American opossums but sometimes called possums as well, live throughout Australia, especially along the east coast and in various forested and urban environments. They tend to live in tree hollows, nest boxes, or houses. In summary, possums generally live in wooded or forested areas with ample shelter availability, but many have adapted well to urban and suburban areas where they find alternative shelters like attics or roofs.
