Opossum facts pdf free

Opossums are the only marsupial found in north america. Opossums are mostly immune to rabies, and in fact, they are eight times less likely to carry rabies compared to wild dogs. The opossum is often called possum, leaving off the o old world possums and new world opossums are not closely related. Pdf on jan 1, 2005, william j krause and others published the opossum. The size of a large cat, opossums are the only marsupial found in north america. For more information about opossums or other horticultural topics, feel free to contact us. The common opossum and virginia opossum are found in the united states, mexico, central america, south america and canada. Opossums usually live alone and are only active at night.

The opossum is the only marsupial, or pouched mammal, found in the u. Find opossum stock images in hd and millions of other royalty free stock photos, illustrations and vectors in the shutterstock collection. Along the way, we learned facts such as when the battle. The most notable is the virginia opossum or common opossumthe only marsupial pouched mammal. Though a relative of the kangaroo, opossums are much slower. Jess grew up in oklahoma before moving to new york to become a writer. To donate by mail please make check or money order payable to. Possums are generally regarded as pests when folks find them lurking in their yard or near their homes in the middle. After they leave the pouch, young opossums often hitch a ride. Opossums have prehensile tails and opposable big toes.

Opossums may give birth to as many as 20 babies in a litter, but fewer than half of them survive. The opossum is a type of mammal that is the only one of its kind in north america. They are omnivores, eating almost anything, live in a wide variety of habitats, and have many adaptations including a pouch. The opossum helps keep neighborhoods clean and free of unwanted, harmful garden. Did you know that opossums are north americas only marsupial.

What makes an opossum unusual, and what are some facts about. There are several dozen different species of opossum, which are often called possums in north america. They live in many parts of the united states with the exception of the rockies, western plains and parts of the northern region. Opossum facts, behavior and habitat mother earth news.

With long, brown or gray hair and a long, scaly tail, opossums can also give off a repulsive, musklike odor. They are closely related to the kangaroo and koala. Commonly known as possums, these pests are the only marsupial native to the united states. Opossums provide free pest control services by eating all kinds of bugs, small snakes, mice, dead birds killed by cats, and even baby rats. Because of this behavior, which is in fact a bluff, the opossum is.

Thousands of new, highquality pictures added every day. Educational materials opossum society of the united states. Opossums have five toes on each foot and a tail with no fur. Opossum rabies is actually more rare than in skunks, raccoons or foxes. Though they arent picky about where they hang out, opossums love trees. Find out cute facts about possums that will change your mind about the animals. The virginia opossum didelphis virginiana, or opossum as it is commonly known, is a native mammal in georgia. With its odd looks, clueless demeanor and taste for trashcan fare, the opossum is widely considered to be only a halfrung above a rat on the. The female carries and nurses her young in her marsupium until they are about 2 to 3 months old.

North americas only marsupial female has a pouch mammal. Another interesting fact about opossums is that these solitary creatures have been. In fact, between 2004 and 2014 there were only 25 cases of. The opossum is not a rodent, it is a marsupial like a kangaroo.