Opossum Fun Stuff To Know
Opossum Facts:Opossum is the only living marsupial in North America.
Opossum is highly resistant to disease due to it's normal low body core temperature. They are fairly resistant to the rabies virus but have been documented to have contracted the rabies virus, although rare.
Opossum do not hang by their tails. An Opossum tail could not support an adult's weight. Juveniles may hang by their tails while learning to climb but cannot sleep while suspended by their tail. Opossom may use their tail as an aide in climbing and may occasionally use their tail around a branch while climbing to a lower branch.
Within two weeks of conception, an Opossum "Mom" sits upright and vigorously licks, cleans out and prepares her pouch for her young. She will also clean a path to her pouch for her newborn to use.
When young opossum are born, they instinctively move towards their mammas pouch by grabbing on with their front paws and kicking with their back legs.
Mamma Opossum will carry her young on her back while out foraging for food.
The name Opossum was first used by Captain John Smith in 1608. It was adapted from the Native American Algonquin name "apasum", meaning white animal.
Opossum must have lived during the age of the Dinosaur as opossum fossil remains have been found dating back to over 70 million years ago.
Opossum is omnivore and can eat almost anything including bugs, snails, mice and other small animals as well as dog and cat food.
Mature Opossum are usually loners, preferring a solitary lifestyle.
Opossum makes very little noise, if frightened it may make a quiet hissing noise to hopefully scare off predators.
Opossum's inner hind toe is an opposable thumb which does not have a claw.
Opossum do not have a particular territory but rather stay on the move hunting for food.
Opossum has no natural defense against predators and cannot defend itself very well. If attacked and unable to run, Opossum will collapse and pretend to be dead as most predators will only eat live prey.
Opossum generally beds down in tree hollows going out at night to forage for food.
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