All links external to the document have been deactivated. The size of a large cat, opossums are the only marsupial found in north america. They are exceptionally nonagressive and nondestructive. Marsupials are a fairly small class of animals that raise their young in a pouch, and include kangaroos, wombats, koalas, and opossum.
North americas only marsupial female has a pouch mammal. Opossums are also thought to have some immunity towards the venom of certain snakes such as pit vipers and rattlesnakes. Its tail can hold objects and it has the uncanny ability to play dead for up to six hours to deter predators. Because their fur doesnt provide much insulation from the cold, opossums typically spend the winter in dens that are dry, sheltered and safe. Outside of mexico, the virginia opossum is the only known marsupial to make its home in north america although there are several other species of opossum that can be found in other parts of the world. Opossums are marsupials, meaning that females carry their young in a pouch on. The possum is a mammal about the same size as a cat and males are larger and heavier than females.
The virginia opossum is the only marsupial native to the united states. The virginia opossum occupies much of the north america and central america including southern ontario, costa rica, and rockies. They kill vermin, including mice which can also spread lyme and other infectious diseases, snakes, slugs and garden pests. Other vegetables and snacks should also be included in the diet.
Despite its rodentlike features, the opossum commonly abbreviated to possum is actually the only marsupial native to north america. Order paucituberculata shrew, or rat, opossums 5 species in 1 family. Pdfs can easily be converted into microsoft word, excel and powerpoint files, and viceversa. Nocturnal virginia opossums are commonly seen pilfering through human trash and being struck by motor vehicles in the southeast u. Pdf documents can contain links and buttons, form fields, audio, video, and business logic. Opossums have five toes on each foot and a tail with no fur. Most people can point to an opossum in a lineup of wildlife creatures.
Jess grew up in oklahoma before moving to new york to become a writer. Explore and learn everything about opossums, download opossum wallpapers and opossum coloring pages. Like other opossums, it is a generalist feeder that occupies a variety of habitats. Facts about opossum houston, texas a all animal control. However, the center for disease control reports that in the united states, the vast majority.
The species behavior gave rise to the phrase playing possum. They are omnivores and eat a variety of plant matter, fruits, seeds, grains, insects, earthworms, birds, and frogs. See more ideas about possum, opossum, animals wild. Their cute and fluffy appearance coupled with their nonaggressive nature makes them firm wildlife favourites. The virginia opossum didelphis virginiana is the single species found in the united states, but at least. Adult opossums do not hang from trees by their tails, as sometimes depicted, though babies may dangle temporarily. Most opossum droppings are around 34 of an inch in diameter and taper off at the ends. Ridiculously awesome facts about opossums animal sake.
Possums are small marsupials with thick, bushy tails, thick body fur, and a pointed snout and ears. Further language versions are available as pdf files, please click on download. The national opossum society and the opossum society of the united states, while both founded by dr. Opossums have grayishwhite fur and are about the size of a house cat. Its white face and pointy ratlike nose and tail are easily recognizable. Though a relative of the kangaroo, opossums are much slower. Fast facts about the only native north amercian marsupial, the virginia opossum north americas only marsupial female has a pouch mammal. Possums are a serious pest animal in new zealand and a.
Woolly opossums include the blackshouldered opossum caluromysiops irrupta, the bushytailed opossum glironia venusta, and three species of true woolly opossums genus. Opossums do not dig up yards, although they will eat from your garden, compost or garbage and may raid a chicken coop given the opportunity. The opossums population is on an increasing trend particularly in. Family didelphidae american opossums 70 or more species in 12 genera. Little is known about the shorttailed opossums and resources vary somewhat on specific details. Top 10 facts about possums in australia bird gard australia.
The original goal was to preserve and protect the content and layout of a document no matter. Add any board to the list when you select it from your boards. The good opossums eat up to 5000 ticks per season thereby reducing our risk of contracting lyme and other tickborne diseases. Opossums are opportunistic feeders whose diets change depending on the season. Trapping, poisoning and shooting has now reduced the possum population. The possum comprises a group of marsupials that live in australia, sulawesi, and new guinea. Any opossum baby found wandering without its mother should be taken into rehabilitation. You can read the epaper by clicking on the cover below. Biology, impact and management of an introduced marsupial web page hardback book available from nationwide books. Jody lutz is an interpretive naturalist of zoology at. Content may not appear in full or in its original format.
Pdf was standardized as iso 32000 in 2008, and no longer requires any royalties for its implementation. National agricultural library archived file archived files are provided for reference purposes only. The oftmaligned marsupial definitely suffers from an image problem it is frequently perceived more as a giant, dirty, scavenging rat rather than a cute creature of. Though possums are often considered a pest that needs to be removed from a home or neighborhood, wildlife experts attest that, in urban areas, possums are beneficial as rodent and carrion eaters. It turns out, though, that theyre really one of the most misunderstood creatures on our planet. Before you open another pdf file, take a moment to truly appreciate how much this. The opossum is an omnivorous animal and will eat almost anything that it. Over 60 species of opossum exist throughout the americas. Like kangaroos and koalas, infant opossums stay inside the mothers pouch to nurse and develop. Opossums consume insects and other arthropods, as well as bird eggs, bird nestlings, and small mammals. Whether you call it an opossum or possum, this nocturnal mammal is one of our most unique.
Brushtail possums are known to be tolerant of many plant toxins and will eat trees that. Learn everything you need to know about opossum facts, behavior and habitat. But there are still about 30 million possums in new zealand today. The virginia possum is wellknown for playing dead when it is threatened. A read is counted each time someone views a publication summary such as the title, abstract, and list of authors, clicks on a figure, or views or downloads the fulltext.
Net aim to promote interest in nature and animals among children, as well as raise their awareness in conservation and environmental protection. Opossums as a group are solitary, nomadic animals and do not defend their territories. The national opossum society and the opossum society of the united states, while both. Commonly known as possums, these pests are the only marsupial native to the united states. National agricultural library archived file archived files.
Opossums are omnivorous, meaning they eat both plant and animal substances. This web site is for the group most recently led by the late dr. Ticks, particularly the blacklegged ticks like deer ticks that are responsible for the spread of lyme disease. Facts about possums often include claims that they are diseasecarrying dangerous creatures. See more ideas about opossum, cute animals and animals. Opossum facts, behavior and habitat mother earth news. They can be signed electronically, and you can easily view pdf files. Apr 24, 2020 the cutest opossums and possums can be found here. With long, brown or gray hair and a long, scaly tail, opossums can also give off a repulsive, musklike odor. There are about 69 species alive today possums are members of the phalangeriformes. Shorttailed opossums welcome to the cincinnati zoo.
Opossums are the only marsupial found in north america. But most people really dont know all that much about these. They have even been known to kill and eat venomous snakes opossums are remarkably immune to snake venom. However, the center for disease control reports that in the united states, the vast majority of recorded rabies cases come from the bite of 4 animals raccoons, skunks, foxes and bats. The largest order of marsupials in the western hemisphere, it. Possums factsheets manaaki whenua landcare research. Opossums kill ticks by the thousands opossums are voracious eaters that will try anything they find, something you know quite well if youve ever found one pawing through your garbage bins. And when all else fails, they play possum and act as if they are dead. Georgia department of natural resources wildlife resources division opossum fact sheet the virginia opossum didelphis virginiana, or opossum as it is commonly known, is a native mammal in georgia. The possum is a mediumsized marsupial that is natively found in australia, papua new guinea and sulawesi, which is a tropical island found in the indonesian archipelago.
Care for baby bunnies the arc animal rehabilitation center. The pdf was developed as an exchange format for documents. Opossums are a family of over 100 species of marsupials that are native to a variety of habitats in north and south america, and they typically live not far from a water source and often dwell in trees. Like regular pdf files, browsable pdfs are seldom legible on mobile without. Woolly opossum, subfamily caluromyinae, any of five species of arboreal new world marsupials family didelphidae. Sep 21, 2016 there are more than 60 species of opossum. While sometimes opossums are called possums for short, the two groups live on different continents, are not closely related, and have very different teeth and paws. Opossums usually live alone and are only active at night. They are more immune to many diseases than the other animals and are far less likely to carry rabies.
Until you are able to contact and place the orphan with a permitted wildlife rehabilitator, you can follow these care instructions to give the infant the best chance for survival. They are often looked upon as filthy vermin, but some even adopt them as pets. Opossums are vulnerable to frostbite on their hairless tails, ears. Heres some interesting facts about this creature, in this animalsake article. The opossum order didelphimorphia is the only marsupial found in the americas. As new platforms are created, the file format continues to stay compatible and truly crossplatform. Possums like to eat fruits, plants, seeds, buds, and small vertebrates. The portable document format pdf is a file format developed by adobe in the 1990s to present documents, including text formatting and images, in a manner. The southern opossum is a close relative of the virginia opossum of north america, but it is found further south, ranging from eastern mexico to northeastern argentina. What is the difference between a possum and an opossum. The female carries and nurses her young in her marsupium. Opossum facts, history, useful information and amazing pictures. Slow moving and nocturnal, when faced with danger opossums will often play dead by playing possum. These animals need high protein, low fat, dry food and will never eat more than required.
This file was current when produced, but is no longer maintained and may now be outdated. The female carries and nurses her young in her marsupium until they are about 2 to 3 months old. The virginia or american opossum, sometimes referred to as the possum, is the only marsupial that lives wild in the united states. Pdf files may contain a variety of content besides flat. Opossum is the common name for various small to mediumsized marsupial mammals there are more than 60 different species of opossum the opossum is the only species of marsupial mammals with a pouch in which they carry their young that is found outside of australia an its surrounding islands. General information opossum society of the united states. Aug 22, 2015 dont confuse an american opossum with an australian possum theyre quite different. Possums are generally regarded as pests when folks find them lurking in their yard or near their homes in the middle of the night. This fact sheet has been prepared for your information by rspca queensland locked bag 3000, archerfield bh qld 4108 p 07 3426 9999 v 2. Thousands of new, highquality pictures added every day. These animals, around the size of a small cat, have 50 teeth. Add audio, video, and interactive objects to pdfs in adobe acrobat.
Oct 22, 2008 learn facts and tips about opossums and information on how to care for possums in this free online instructional video. Find opossum stock images in hd and millions of other royaltyfree stock photos, illustrations and vectors in the shutterstock collection. It is an odd sight, this shuffling, waddling creature with the faintly foul odor, a thin trickle of drool at one corner. Learn facts about playing possum and information on how to care for opossums in this free online instructional video. The possum is an australasian marsupial which was later introduced to china and new zealand.
Contrary to popular belief, having possums nearby can. About opossums the opossum is a mediumsized mammal, about the size of a house cat, with gray to black fur, a pink nose, naked ears, and an almost hairless prehensile tail able to grasp, hold or wrap. The most common brushtail possum was first introduced to new zealand and australia for the fur trade. Possums and opossums are both mediumsized marsupials. Opossum feces are roughly one to two inches in length, smooth on the sides, and may have white or yellowish mold. Despite its appearance, the opossum is not related to the rat. The national opossum society is an allvolunteer notforprofit, taxexempt charity, founded december 5, 1986. The common opossums scientific name is didelphis marsupialis, and the virginia opossums scientific name is didelphis virginiana. Floridas only marsupial, a mammal having a pouch for carrying the young, is the virginia opossum. Opossums have a spectacular immune system, and a lower than average body temperature. The opossum is known to be one of the worlds animals that carries rabies and the opossum is much more likely to have the disease than any other animal. Jody lutz is an interpretive naturalist of zoology. Opossum facts considered the ugly duckling of the wild animal world, opossums may not be the cutest, but they arent all that bad.
If you look at the complexity and possibilities that the pdf format offers, it is in fact surprising how fast and easy it is to convert documents, e. Though a relative of the kangaroo, opossums are much slower and produce a nauseating smell when threatened. One of the coolest common opossum facts is that newborn opossum babies are the size of a raisin, the common opossum, or virginia opossum, is often accused of spreading rabies. Possums are mainly herbivores plant eaters, favouring eucalyptus and other leaves, ferns, buds, flowers and fruits. In general, a pdf file can be created from any file. Squirrel wildlife rehabilitation interesting opossum facts. Opossums kill ticks by the thousands opossums are voracious eaters that will try anything they find, something you know quite well if youve ever found one pawing through your.
Like its aussie cousin the kangaroo, the opossum has a pouch in. They present a far less health risk than do dogs or cats. They live in many parts of the united states with the exception of the rockies, western plains and parts of the northern region. The possum found in new zealand is the australian brushtailed possum, while possums are found in north america where they are called opossums. The opossum, or virginia opossum, is a mediumsized marsupial that is a common sight in many parts of north america. Pdf documents have been around since 1993, but have been hit and miss in the popularity stakes over the years. Although most live in central and south america, one species, the virginia or common opossum didelphis virginiana, calls the united states. What to do about opossums the humane society of the.
Its portable document format, just in case anyone asks you. This means that they dont carry a whole lot of the standard zoonotic diseases that other animals might carry. Possums have a long bushy tail, which is around a third of the total length. Georgia department of natural resources wildlife resources division opossum fact sheet the virginia opossum didelphis virginiana, or opossum as it is commonly known, is a native mammal in. This relative of kangaroos has made itself at home in. Often seen as a pest and accused of everything from knocking over garbage cans to killing chickens, these quiet marsupials are rarely a threat and easily sent on their way. The correct name for the white faced creatures we see in our area is opossum, not the common misused name possum which is actually a different creature found in. The virginia opossum didelphis virginiana is more closely related to kangaroos than to any other mammal in north america. Boards are the best place to save images and video clips. Nearly all possums including opossums are omnivores but most of them are vegetarians. The largest order of marsupials in the western hemisphere, it comprises 103 or more species in 19 genera.
The species that many people think of when hearing about this animal is the common opossum, also known as virginia opossum. A threatened virginia opossum typically reacts to danger by baring its teeth and growling, but under extreme stress it may fall into an involuntary comalike state. When threatened, opossums run, growl, belch, urinate and defecate. Opossums, which include the roughly 100 species in the order didelphimorphia, are some of the most misunderstood. These furry creatures live in trees, and carry their young in a pouch. In fact, the opossum is a marsupial, or pouched mammal, and is therefore related to other marsupials such as the kangaroo and the koala. They are light gray in color and basically look like big rats. Opossums are natures garbage disposal, eating fallen fruit before it rots, as well as eating crickets, beetles, mice, and other household pests.
232 503 857 1362 511 868 1331 52 565 1371 1008 1489 1556 537 6 1526 855 478 1059 765 1186 193 79 782 1478 1207 247 1324 258 633