Are opossums good to have around your yard? If you notice one trundling through your yard, secure your pets inside until the opossum has passed through the area. If you’re interested in welcoming opossums into your yard, Peter suggests working on creating a healthy habitat rather than directly feeding them, which can attract other animals and encourage dependence on humans. “Healthy habitats naturally impact healthy wildlife, and opossums are one of the many species that benefit from that.” “Opossums are quiet, solitary animals that generally avoid conflict and play an important role in maintaining backyard ecosystems,” he says.