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Backround informationOpossum were originally found only south of Pennsylvania. They have since expanded into the northwest, Midwest, and western states. Opossums date back to the 1890’s off the coast of California.
The opossum is a medium-sized animal that measures between 15 and 20 inches long, not including the tail. It weighs between 4 and 12 pounds. It has long, coarse, grayish-white fur. Opossums have a sharp-pointed and slender snout, housing 50 sharp teeth. They have prominent thin ears and little legs. The opossum is both a scavenger and an omnivore, which feeds primarily at night because they are nocturnal. It uses its keen sense of smell to find food. The diet consists mainly of insects, worms, dead animals, reptiles, amphibians, birds and their eggs, berries, fruits, and small mammals. |
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did you know?
Opossum or Possum? The term possum covers about 70 species of marsupials native to Australia and neighboring islands. Opossum covers over 100 species of marsupials living in the Western Hemisphere. A marsupial is an animal with a pouch, like a kangaroo or a koala.
Opossums live, at most, four years.
They have 50 teeth and show them all when threatened.
They are the size of a, average house cat. Can be up to 20 lbs.
Will live almost anywhere.
They are omnivores; they eat nearly any and everything.
Opossums are known for playing dead when they feel endangered, but this isn't relatively accurate. They are in fact not "playing" dead at all. Actually, the opossum goes into shock when stressed. While is it not dead, it can be found lying on its side with its legs stiffly extended, the body of the possum is limp and unconscious during this time, like a person who has fainted.
Opossums live, at most, four years.
They have 50 teeth and show them all when threatened.
They are the size of a, average house cat. Can be up to 20 lbs.
Will live almost anywhere.
They are omnivores; they eat nearly any and everything.
Opossums are known for playing dead when they feel endangered, but this isn't relatively accurate. They are in fact not "playing" dead at all. Actually, the opossum goes into shock when stressed. While is it not dead, it can be found lying on its side with its legs stiffly extended, the body of the possum is limp and unconscious during this time, like a person who has fainted.
