Amazing Opossum Facts
The opossum is North America’s only marsupial, giving birth to 7-21 tiny, Wild by Nature: embryonic young. These newborns instinctively climb upward into the Opossums mother’s pouch, where they firmly attach themselves to one of 13 teats and nurse for the next 50 days.
Newborn opossums are so tiny, it takes 20 of them to equal the weight of a penny.
The opossum has a prehensile tail-- a tail capable of grasping and holding objects. While an opossum does not sleep hanging by its tail (as many cartoons portray!), it does use its tail to grasp objects as it climbs.
Opossums are immune to rattlesnake venom.
A publication of the Opossums have more teeth (fifty!) McHenry County than any other North American Conservation District mammal. 815.338.MCCD For more information, please contact As an animal originating from Mexico McHenry County Conservation District and South America, the opossum 18410 U.S. Highway 14 cannot tolerate severely cold weather. Woodstock, IL 60098 Veterans of hard winters often lose 815.338.MCCD (6223) parts of ears and tails to frostbite. www.MCCDistrict.org The Discovery Defense Mechanisms On February 8, 1500, Spaniard explorer By nature, opossums are non-aggressive, Vicente Yáñez Pinzó landed on the coast non-destructive and do not pose a threat of Brazil in search of gold and other to humans. However, when threatened, treasures. What he discovered was an they will attempt to defend themselves. animal many people do not treasure-- They are best known for “playing ‘pos- the opossum (Didelphis virginiana). sum” which is an involuntary, comatose- Until that moment, the existence of a like state caused by extreme fear that may pouch-bearing mammal, a marsupial, last from several minutes up to six hours. was unknown to western civilization. Other defense tactics include drooling The mother opossum and her babies and gaping the mouth in a threatening were brought back by the explorer and Natural History manner. While it can look frightening, the presented at the court of Spanish The opossum is an extremely adaptable opossum is actually more scared of you monarchs Ferdinand and Isabella, who animal. Its existence was unknown in the than you are of it! marveled at this strange creature. While Great Lakes region prior to 1800, but its naturalists were fascinated by this range has slowly been expanding, mainly Living with Opossums “animal with two bellies,” it would take due to advantageous alterations humans If you see an opossum in zoological science a few hundred years have made to the landscape. Opossums your back yard, don’t worry. to comprehend the opossum as more are found in a wide variety of habitats, Opossums are transient than just a strange beast. both rural and urban. The opossum is a animals, staying in an area true omnivore, eating a wide variety of only 2-3 days before moving on. Trapping plant and animal foods, including is neither necessary nor desirable. If an earthworms, insects, eggs, small opossum continues to return to your area, mammals and birds, snakes, fruits, nuts, try eliminating the things that attract it. Clear seeds, mushrooms and carrion. It away bushes, woodpiles and other hiding generally forages at night, using its places, pick up fallen fruit from trees and senses of smell and hearing to find do not leave pet food out overnight. food. Most opossums rarely live more Secure garbage cans with tight-fitting lids. than a year or two. Causes of mortality At night, keep doors and garages closed include winter weather, hawks, and shut windows located next to tree owls, dogs, foxes and, of course, limbs and fences. If you find an opossum automobiles. in your yard, just enjoy watching it and leave it alone.