Why are possums nocturnal animals?

John Smith coined the word opossum from the word "opassum," the Algonquian term meaning "white animal. ... read more

Possums are nocturnal because that is when they can see and smell better. I also think that is when their predators are not out hunting. Possums usually rest or sleep in their habitat [trees] during the daytime. read more

The various reasons why animals are nocturnal are (a) in hot regions to avoid the heat of the middle of the day, (b) to evade predators, and, contrairiwise, (c) because predators can sometimes ambush pres more easily at night. read more

Opossums are nocturnal, that is they sleep during the day and come out at night, so the chance that a small child will come into contact with an opossum is slim. Opossums prefer to sleep in dark, secluded places. read more