Regarding the 100+ opossum species on the planet, the most typical and familiar in the us could be the Virginia opossum. Below, explore details about the Virginia opossum including its practices and exactly how to spot harm.
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General Opossum Facts
Scientific Name regarding the Virginia Opossum: Didelphis virginiana
Normal Size: 21-36″ long (including end); 4-15 pounds.
Average Lifespan in the great outdoors: 1-2 years
Distinguishing Features: cat-sized human body; grey fur with a white face; long pointy snout; circular dark eyes and hairless ears; four paws; very long, hairless tail spanning over 1/3 of the total human anatomy size.
„Playing Possum“
When threatened or harmed, these pets will „play possum“, mimicking the look and odor of an ill or animal that is dead. The lips are drawn straight back, teeth are bared, saliva foams across the lips, and a foul-smelling fluid is secreted through the anal glands. {Even though word “play” This defense mechanism is actually a completely involuntary and automatic physiological response to danger although the word “play” suggests a conscious act.
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Many hurt opossums are killed by well-meaning individuals who find a animal that is catatonic assume the worst. The thing that is best to accomplish upon finding an injured or evidently dead opossum would be to keep it in a quiet destination with an obvious exit course. In minutes or hours, the opossum will regain consciousness and escape quietly on unique.
Opossum Geography
Virginia opossums inhabit Central America and also the eastern half the usa, in addition to elements of the west coast, where opossums had simply been introduced through the Great Depression.
Opossum Habitat
While opossums choose deciduous woodlands with nearby resources of water – like channels or swamps – they truly are exceptionally adaptable and flourish in a number of habitats and climates. The absolute most essential elements in a possum’s house range are meals, water and shelter.
Opossums do not build their very own dens; consequently they often times just take shelter in abandoned animal burrows, hollow logs, brush heaps, woodpiles, attics as well as other structures that are man-made.
Opossum Diet
Opossums are opportunistic omnivores that consume a wide selection of animal and plant matter. As they’re mainly scavengers – feeding on dead pets and plant matter – additionally they love bugs and sporadically hunt animals that are small chicks and snakes.
A few of opossums‘ favorite meals consist of:
Opossum Behavior
Task: Opossums are nocturnal – active mainly at night. They are often less active during the winter although they do not hibernate. Opossums are generally solitary pets and live alone when they’re perhaps not breeding.
Reproduction: between your months of and October, opossums breed and give birth to up to two litters of 4-8 young – or joeys – each january. The gestation amount of a possum is all about 13 times, and after that time the joeys are created and must instantly claim certainly one of 13 nipples in the mom’s pouch. Joeys remain within the pouch for around 50 days, after which it time they start to leave the pouch and spending some time on the mom’s straight back. After about 100 times, young opossums split from their mothers to locate their house ranges.
Defense: When threatened, an opossum will hiss and show its teeth to try and ward a predator off. If this won’t stop the predator from attacking, the opossum shall pretend become dead, falling to their part, curling up and opening their lips. Some make reference to this as „playing possum“, and also this protection process frequently leads to a predator walking away.
Abilities: Opossums are skilled climbers, because of their opposable back thumbs and tails that are long are made to put around branches. They’re also great swimmers, while they like to travel on land.
Identify Opossum Harm
Though opossums are not aggressive in general, these are generally opportunistic and resourceful animals that eat whatever they will get and simply take shelter where they see fit – regardless of if it is in the home. It is essential to determine signs of opossum harm early.
Fun Facts
Because of an opossum’s lower torso heat and effective defense mechanisms, it is rather uncommon for you to carry rabies.
In north areas, opossums frequently have uncommonly tails that are short the ends are lost as a result of frostbite.
The Virginia opossum has more teeth than just about any other North United states Mammal – 50, become precise.
The Virginia opossum may be the marsupial that is only inhabits the U.S.
A study carried out by a University of Florida researcher traces the presence of opossums dating back to the extinction of dinosaurs.
Although some throughout united states relate to native opossums as „possums“, the expression „possum“ theoretically identifies a classification of marsupials located in Australia, brand new Guinea and Sulawesi.