📷 en:User:Tlmalexgro · Public domain
📷 Cody Pope
📷 Animaldetector
IUCN: Least Concern
Virginia Opossum
Didelphis virginiana
KingdomAnimalia›PhylumChordata›ClassMammalia›OrderDidelphimorphia›FamilyDidelphidae›GenusDidelphis
About
The Virginia opossum is North America's only marsupial, a nocturnal generalist with a prehensile tail and opposable thumbs on its hind feet. Babies are born tiny and climb to the mother's pouch, later riding on her back. Its famous 'playing dead' is an involuntary defensive state that can last hours. Opossums resist some snake venoms and eat many ticks, making them quiet allies in backyards.
Key Facts
⛰Habitat Deciduous forest, farmland, wetlands, and urban neighborhoods
🍃Diet Omnivore — insects, fruit, carrion, eggs, and scraps
📏Size & Weight Body 35–50 cm; tail 25–40 cm
•weight 2–5.5 kg
⏳Lifespan 2–4 years
🗺Range Eastern and central United States through Mexico and Central America to Costa Rica
MammalMarsupial
Key Facts
⛰Habitat Deciduous forest, farmland, wetlands, and urban neighborhoods
🍃Diet Omnivore — insects, fruit, carrion, eggs, and scraps
📏Size & Weight Body 35–50 cm; tail 25–40 cm
•weight 2–5.5 kg
⏳Lifespan 2–4 years
🗺Range Eastern and central United States through Mexico and Central America to Costa Rica
Photo Credits
#1en:User:Tlmalexgro · Public domain
#2Cody Pope · CC BY-SA 2.5
#3Animaldetector · CC BY-SA 3.0
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