OPOSSUMS FACTS

OPOSSUMS FACTS

1. Opossums lived during the Age of the Dinosaurs... fossil remains have been found from 70 million years ago! This means that the opossum is part of the Earth's oldest surviving mammal family.

2. The opossum doesn't have a permanent "nest" because it is nocturnal and transient.  It will spend and average of 2-3 days in the same hideout, then move on.  Some weeks later it may return to your place, depending on your hospitality.

3. Opossums have soft, rounded opposable thumbs with no fingernails, on their hind feet.

4. Opossums do not dig holes, as their paws are very soft and tender, much like a human hand.

5. Opossums may drool, growl and show their 50 teeth when frightened, but in reality are placid and prefer to avoid any confrontation.

6. They are slow-moving with very sensitive hearing and smell, opossums are not territorial and will adapt to any environment where food, water and shelter exist.

7. Opossums do not hand by their tails-the tail stabilizes their position while climbing and walking.

8. Besides their natural predators in the wild, humans, cars and cats are the demise for this docile creature.  Very few survive to adulthood, and usually live only 1-2 years if they do.

9. "Playing Possum" is one of the most effective ways the opossums defends itself.  When unable to flee, extreme fear places the opossum into an involuntary coma.  They become stiff and their mouths will gape open.  This condition will last 40 minutes to 4 hours.

10. Most predators will abandon their attack, once the opossum is thought to be dead.

11. Opossums cannot jump.  An opossum may get into a trash can only if it has been knocked over by another animal, or if it's against a fence and the opossum drops into it, which can trap the opossum in the trash can.  Just tip the can over and eventually the opossum will scramble away.

12. Opossum fur coloring is most commonly gray, but can range from white and cinnamon to black.

13. Baby opossums are usually born between the months of February and June.  Virginia Opossum

14. White Face: There will be a "widows peak" of dark hair on their forehead and the white face will confirm it is an opossum.

15. 50 Teeth: More teeth than any other mammal.   Opening their mouth and showing their teeth "gaping" is a natural defense mechanism.  "Gaping" is what babies will do too.

16. Pouch: That means it is a marsupial, not a rodent.   Females carry the young in their pouches like the kangaroo.  The opossum is North America's only marsupial.

17. Furless Tail: The tail is prehensile: it is used as a fifth limb, to help balance or lower to the ground.  They do not hang by their tails that is an old wives tail.