ANIMAL: Virginia Opossum Didelphis virginiana Type of Animal: Opossum Habitat: Woodland, thickets w/ heavy brush cover, thickets near water sources, forest, farmland, old fields, hedgerows, rural areas, near streams, near marshes, swamps, damp lowlands, wetlands, under buildings, garages, attics, cities/suburbs/settled/residential areas, brushy areas, wet meadows, orchards, shrubland, desert, chaparral Location(s): Found in C & E North America in SE Canada & E/C US. Also found on W coast of US & British Columbia plus isolated populations in E New Mexico & C/S Arizona, making way through Mexico down to Costa Rica. Appearance: Grizzled gray to gray-blackish cat-sized mammal w/ white face, pink nose, hairless black ears, & long scaly prehensile tail Food/Diet: Insects, worms, snails, slugs, carrion, garbage, cat food, dog food, fruit, berries, small mammals, amphibians, birds, eggs, fish, reptiles, nuts, seeds, grasses, root vegetables, mushrooms, grain, dark leafy greens, corn, cucumbers, ticks Status in Wild: Stable Conservation: General habitat preservation, regulated hunting/trapping seasons Lifestyle: Solitary Additional Info: Called: Male: Jack Female: Jill Young: Joey Group: Solitary Weight: Male: 4-14 lbs Female: 4-7 lbs Young: 0.7 oz Gestation: 2 weeks Life Span: 2 years in wild, 3-4 years in captivity Height: Male: 6-11 in Female: 6-8 in Body Length: Male: 2-2.5 ft Female: 1.5-2 ft Tail Length: Male: 11.6 in Female: 11 in Main predators are raptors, felids, canids, raccoons, larger snakes, crocodilians, & alligator snapping turtles. Litters range from 4-25 joeys-mom only has 13 teats in pouch-meaning any extra joeys that can’t attach don’t survive. After joeys attach to teats, they stay in pouch for 2 months before riding on mom’s back (this stage lasts 4-6 weeks). Joeys become independent at 4-5 months, reaching maturity soon after. Fun Fact(s): Known for habit of “playing possum”-animal falls completely limp, sticks tongue out, & secretes foul smell. Involuntary, fainting-like panic response to threat. Lasts anywhere from 20 minutes-over 4 hours. While they do eat ticks, they’re only a small part of diet. Joeys only the size of a jellybean when born.
