Opossums (Didelphis virginiana) are North America’s only marsupial.
Mother opossums have two litters each year and, like other marsupials, nurse their babies in their pouches, keeping them safe and warm. Baby opossums, called joeys, are about the size of an acorn when born and immediately crawl into their mother’s pouch. They will stay there for almost three months before they take a ride on their mother’s back. At over three months, the joeys are weaned and live independently.
Opossums love trees. Their long, prehensile tails, thumbs on all four paws, and sharp claws make them skilled climbers. They may be resting on a branch or nesting in a tree hole.
When encountering a human, an Opossum may hiss, growl, and show all 50 of their teeth to tell you to leave. The 50 teeth are used to chew the different types of food in an opossum’s diet. Opossums are not picky eaters and eat fresh fruit, grass, nuts, carrion, worms, birds, mice, insects, and snakes. They are immune to bee stings and snake bites. They often enjoy a free human meal in unsecured garbage cans and open dumpsters.
Opossums play “possum.” When threatened, they will roll on their sides and play dead. Their eyes may be open or closed. They may urinate, let their tongue hang out, foam at the mouth, and secrete a foul scent from their anal glands. They will remain this way until the threat has passed.
Fun Fact: Each opossum can eat up to 5000 ticks each season.
Photo Credit: Dan Kon
