I feed possums at my property, even was able to pet and bring one in for a spell and then tragically today, one was dead on the road, went to see if it was one I fed and saw something move, one of her babies, eyes still not open, all the others were dead. OPOSSUMS AND POSSUMS AREN’T THE SAME ANIMAL. Jenn, we appreciate your big heart, butyou really should call your local wildlife official rather than trying to care for them yourself. Playing dead can last up to six hours, according to ADW. The Virginia opossum (Didelphis virginiana) is the single species found in the United States, but at least 103 species occur in the Western Hemisphere.The word "opossum" comes from the Powhatan or Algonquian name for the animal, which roughly translates as "white dog." Thank you for providing factual information on these precious beings whom are often maligned in the media and are accused of spreading diseases to humans etc, These are trash opossum facts make some true ones not fascinating. Opossums really do play dead. Do tell us about your experience in the comment section below. But what’s more interesting is that it often ‘plays dead,’ sometimes for hours, to thwart off an attack (remember Crash and Eddie from the movie Ice Age?). Darling video. However, their most famous defense mechanism is “playing ‘possum,” similar to playing dead. Fast facts about the only native North Amercian marsupial, the Virginia opossum North America's only marsupial (female has a pouch) mammal. See some of our tick remedies here! Opossums dine with the cats and keep the tick population on the farm to nil. Live and let die. If you have any advice I’d be grateful. Possums are protected wildlife in Australia. Do they dig up yards? But I leave them be. However, they do have a few distinctive calls. Adults usually weigh between 6 and 13 pounds, and their bodies, from nose-tip to tail-tip, are between 2 and 3 feet long. The Indestructible Opossum? No, it’s rather normal in my area. The infant opossums crawl to their mother’s pouch, where they will stay for 2—3 three months. She specializes in home, garden, environmental and green living topics. Facts about possums often include claims that they are disease-carrying dangerous creatures. They are also eight times as likely to carry rabies as domestic dogs, but, incredibly, only 1 in 800 is affected by the disease. They Can’t Help Playing Dead. Male Virginia opossums may grow to 100 cm (40 inches) but average about 76 cm (30 inches) in total length (including the tail); females average about 72 cm (28 inches). The only opossum species occurring north of Mexico is the Virginia opossum (Didelphis virginiana), which ranges from lower eastern Canada and Puget Sound southward to Costa Rica; other members of that genus are found in South America.The Virginia opossum may grow to 100 cm (40 inches) in length (including the tail) and is about the size of a house cat. They have excellent memories and return night after night to finish up what Fido or kitty leave behind. Opossums aren’t indestructible, but they do have some pretty hefty natural immunities. Amber Kanuckel is a freelance writer from rural Ohio who loves all things outdoors. THEY’RE THE ONLY MARSUPIALS FOUND NORTH OF MEXICO. Opossum's are far more interesting than most people give them credit for. I have a few ‘possums that keep my yard very tidy and I never need to worry about old leftovers. Opossums are about eight times less likely to carry rabies than wild dogs, and about one in eight hundred opossums is infected with this virus. They also do not carry or transmit diseases to humans, which makes it safer to be near them. “Playing opossum” is a colloquialism that is used to describe the … Thank you for running the rescue and helping animals! Description of the Opossum Most opossums are around the size of a housecat. However, opossums are world-class tree climbers, with sharp claws, opposable thumbs on their hind feet, and a prehensile tail that helps them scale trunks and hang onto branches. A short childhood. Almanac Publishing Co. All Rights Reserved. Did you ever see an opossum play dead? Here are a few fascinating opossum facts (and yes, the “o” is silent) that will make you think before you shoo them away from your yard! However, there may still be cases, although few, when humans cause harm to the animal for no reason or run over it with their vehicles in urban areas. Instead of shooing them away, let them hang around and they’ll clean up ticks, venomous snakes, discarded birdseed, and more. Opossums get a bad rap as garage invaders and “creepy looking” animals that wander up onto our porches at night. 4. What wonderful animals. Opossums Make Strange Sounds I love opossums and think they are adorable. Cats pay no attention to them. I wonder what happened? They’re not the cutest, in fact, some go as far as calling them ugly. Opossums are so often misunderstood but they are great creatures to have around. In fact, opossums love trees so much that they often nest in tree hollows. The young opossums are not fully developed when they enter the pouch. Interesting & Fun Facts About Opossums More than 60 different species of opossum live on the earth. The term ‘possum’ also refers to refer to … Previously, where we lived in Va Bch, VA….. also had one in backyard. At 10 … The most-widely found opossum is the Virgina opossum, which forms the only pouched mammal in Canada and the United States. Thanks for sharing this video. Opossums have a long, pointed face with round, hairless ears and a rat-like tail. 2. Apr 20, 2019 - Explore Audrey Renneberg-voges's board "Opossum facts" on Pinterest. According to most websites, they do carry fleas as do all wild animals. Just released a baby squirrel I rehabbed for months so I’m hopeful for this adorable little critter. My cat brought her in as a present one evening and I didn’t have the heart to put her back out into the yard, not knowing what happened to her mother. Fun Facts The Virginia (or common) opossum is the only North American marsupial. 6. They’re also largely immune to venom from snakes like cottonmouths and rattlesnakes. Consider these opossum facts before enticing them to stay: As scavengers, opossums will gladly consume pet food left outdoors. If you’ve ever watched an opossum at play, it might have struck you … Opossums have one of the strongest immune systems in the animal world. Possums can make all sorts of noises, from grunts and growls to clicks, hisses and screeches. Commonly known as "possums", these pests are the only marsupial native to the United States. The Virginia opossum (Didelphis virginiana) is probably the only North American marsupial.Most, if not all, marsupials live in Australia. The size of a house cat, males average about 3 kg (6.6 pounds), females about 2 kg (4.4 pounds). They are nature’s very own cleaners, thanks to their scavenging ability, and must be protected from the risk of extinction. These marsupials have an elongated snout, and a large sagittal crest – a bone making their forehead look taller. Not eating yet. Yep, she pointed her long fangy finger at me today. Fishing Lures: Why Picking The Right Color Matters, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Quebec, Full Moon Calendar – Dates, Times and Names, Groundhog Day: Forecast, Facts, and Folklore, Saint Patrick's Day: History, Folklore, and Ideas, Thanksgiving Day (Recipes, Traditions and Trivia). 13 Facts About Opossums 1. These creatures do NOT need your help! 5. These thumbs are on the back feet as well as on the front feet. 1. The female carries and nurses her young in her marsupium until they are about 2 to 3 months old; then they are carried on her back another 1 to 2 months whenever they are away from the den. 7. It was love at first sight. Males make those same clicking sounds during mating season. I’ve raised a few and never had them do that. Adult opossums reach an overall body length of … Its binomial name, Didelphis virginiana, refers to the animal being “two-wombed” and hailing from an area that includ… But instead of wandering around on their own, they’ll often hitch a ride, clinging to their mother’s back as she scavenges (see video below). They are immune to the venom of most snakesfound in their habitat, including rattlesnakes and pit vipers. It’s actually an involuntary reaction — a lot like fainting — that causes the opossum to seize up. Would love to be able to actually pet or hold them. Baby opossums stay with mom for about 100 days and, as they age, they’ll start venturing out of the pouch more and more. She had a trapper come get two Connie’s and a possum that’s been around couple years, I’m sure it was about three. I have housed an opposum since before her eyes were open. In yard, looked to be at least 10 dead baby opossum. I have listed my Top 7 Opossum facts about these amazing creatures! Opossums are usually called Possums in North America. I’ve had a momma opossum with her babies under my porch for the last 3 years. Most possums are solitary animals, except when raising their young, but ringtail possums tend to live in family groups of three or more. This information is for educational purposes only and not a substitute for professional health services. I love possums my neighbor doesn’t like wild life. The opossum (order Didelphimorphia) is the only marsupial found in the Americas. And when an opossum is threatened, it may hiss or growl. I had a appt so when I got home about 2 hours later, I checked and there appear to be at least 20 and they are all now decaying, including the ones that were developed. Hurry home ’cause I get into trouble when you are assuming. The young are referred to as joeys, just like their Australian cousins. Her article on woolly worm caterpillar folklore appears in the 2020 Farmers' Almanac. Their bodies are covered in white or grayish hair. Learn everything you need to know about opossum facts, behavior and habitat. Now I know that birdseed is something they will eat up off the ground…. Marsupials—mammals that carry and nurse their young in pouches—are... 3. They sleep during the day in a den in a hollow tree or in an abandoned rodent burrow. But drinking from syringe and very scared! The Only Known North American Marsupial These animals are largely immune to rabies, although it can occur rarely. Among all the wildlife visitor to your back yard, opossums are one of the best to have around. 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