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Virginia Opossum - (Didelphis
virginiana)
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Playing
possum - This phrase has come into common usage
as a means of avoiding an undesirable event by
playing "dead". When the opossum has exhausted
his first methods of survival in the presence of
a threat (walking away, climbing a tree, baring
his impressive 50 teeth and hissing), he will
feign death. Most predators need to kill as
part of the stimulus for eating and will pass on
what seems to be carrion (dead animals). The
opossum appears to be dead as he lays on his
side, doesn't move, tongue hanging out, and
emitting a putrid odor. There are differences of
opinion as to whether this coma-like state is
from an opossum being frightened into shock or a
more voluntary reaction under his control. In
spite of the fact that he is very good at
fooling an observer, he still is no match for
determined dogs and automobiles. |
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| The opossum first came to our
attention last April 2009. Until we researched
this amazing animal, we were very apprehensive
about harboring this strange guy in our
backyard. We learned that he was actually very
clean, does not carry rabies, is non threatening
to humans. His diet of small garden pests and
carrion means a cleaner, healthier backyard. His
paws are too soft to dig, he can't turn over
garbage cans, he is quiet and is only an
occasional visitor. Interestingly he frequently
appeared with a skunk. It was never clear if
they simply weren't concerned about each other
or if they weren't even aware of being with a
fellow forager. |
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| August 12, 2009 - Here is a
juvenile out for an evening meal. He seems much
bolder than mama or it could be that she has
monopolized the feeder leaving him to rummage on
the ground by himself. Oh well, it's a learning
experience. |
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Size: |
Head/Body Length: 14-20 in |
Tail Length: 9-15 in |
Weight: 2-15 lb |
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ID:
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Male: Fur is
grizzled gray and white in appearance;
white hairs are longer than black ones;
head white with black, narrow rings
around black beady eyes (shine red in
light) and darker line in middle of
forehead; head white; ears are black
usually with white tips; tail (rat-like)
is naked and black near base ending in
long pink tip; long snout with four
rows of long whiskers and pink nose; 50
teeth (most of any land mammal in North
America); short dark legs; feet black
with five pink toes; hind feet have
opposable inner thumb for grasping; cat
sized body
Female:Similar to male; only marsupial
(pouched) mammal in North America
Juvenile: Similar but smaller than
adult |
| Habitat: |
Wooded country near
water and meadows or suburban
neighborhoods; very adaptable and will
live almost anywhere that has food,
water and potential den sites for
shelter |
| Diet: |
Omnivorous; eats
wide range of animal and vegetation
(will eat almost anything); garbage and
carrion; large insects and small animals
(snakes, snails, slugs, frogs, birds and
moles |
| Family Behavior: |
Mating Habits:
Shortest gestation period of any North
American mammal at 12-13 days after
mating; breeds end of winter; male
finds female in heat by smell; 1-2
litters (8-16 young with survivors
attaching to milk source in pouch)
Nests:Builds with leaves carried with
coiled-up tail
Baby: Born less than 1/2 inches long
and weighs 1/15 oz; blind and hairless;
newborns move from under the mother's
tail, across her belly hairs and attach
to one of thirteen nipples inside her
pouch and stay there for 8 weeks until
the size of a small mouse and weighing
about an ounce; exit the pouch fully
weaned after 75-85 days old; ride on
mother's back for 4 weeks; fully
independent about 3-4 months of age
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| Activities: |
Nocturnal; shy;
loners; uses abandoned burrow of other
animals in winter (does not hibernate
but sleeps more in colder weather); when
threatened runs (slow-moving in
general), stays and fights (only
rarely), climbs a nearby tree (agile
climber using prehensile tail for
balance) or plays possum (appears dead);
hairless tail easily suffers from
frostbite; provides excellent rodent
control |
| Predators and
Dangers: |
Dogs; hawks and
owls, fox and coyote; hunted in South
(for food or pelt); automobiles (tends
to be too slow, when eating carrion
found along roads; occasionally hunted
for meat |
| Sounds: |
Mostly silent;
growls and hisses when threatened; male
makes clicking sound when courting
female |
| Range: |
Most of Eastern and
Central US from southern New England,
through southern Ontario to parts of
Minnesota and south to parts of New
Mexico; some introduction along west
coast |
| Lifespan |
2-4 years; high rate
of mortality in first year |
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