12 Opossum Facts That Will Surprise and Excite You

If you are a fan of the marsupial family, you may already know a lot about opossums. Some of their traits are similar to other members of the family, as well as their appearance. Still, there are a lot of interesting facts about opossums that you may not know. Some of these facts include their ability to play dead, their preferred diet of insects and small animals, and their amazing ability to adapt to new environments.

If you are a fan of the marsupial family, you may already know a lot about opossums. Some of their traits are similar to other members of the family, as well as their appearance. Still, there are a lot of interesting facts about opossums that you may not know. Some of these facts include their ability to play dead, their preferred diet of insects and small animals, and their amazing ability to adapt to new environments.

opossum facts for kids

Opossums are fascinating animals. They are playful, intelligent, and seemingly harmless. But, did you know that opossums have been mistaken for rats? They are smart enough to make tools? They can swim AND climb trees? They are also known as possums.

Opossums are often thought of as dirty, disease-ridden creatures. However, opossums are actually quite beneficial to the environment and are North America’s only marsupial. In this article, we will explore ten opossum facts that will surprise and excite you. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at opossums, including their lifespan, what they eat, and where they live.

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What is a possum?

A possum is a small to medium-sized, omnivorous marsupial found in Australia and parts of the United States. In North America, there are several dozen different species of opossum, sometimes known as possums. The Virginia opossum, often known as the common opossum, is the only marsupial (pouched mammal) present in the United States and Canada. Possums are solitary animals that mate during the winter season. The female gives birth to a litter of young in her pouch, which she nurses until they are large enough to fend for themselves. Possums are omnivorous and eat a variety of things including fruits, insects, worms, frogs, and small vertebrates.

opossum facts

Common Name: Opossums
Opossum Scientific Name: Didelphidae
Type: Mammals
Diet: Omnivore
Group Name: Passel
Opossum Size: Length From Nose to Tail: 2.5 Feet
Weight: 8.8 to 13.2 Pounds
Size Relative to a 6-ft Man:

Opossum Facts That Will Surprise and Excite You

Whether you’re a fan of opossums or not, I’m sure you’ll find the following facts about these creatures quite surprising and exciting.

Quick facts about Opossum for kids

  1. Opossums are North America’s only marsupials. This means that they carry their young in a pouch on their belly.
  2. Opossums are incredibly resilient creatures and can survive being run over by cars, attacked by dogs, and even frozen solid!
  3. Opossums are great at hiding and can disappear into shadows very quickly. This makes them difficult to see—and even more difficult to catch!
  4. Opossums are scavengers and will eat almost anything, including dead animals, garbage, and pet food.
  5. Opossums are nocturnal and prefer to forage for food at night.

what does a possum look like

A possum is small to medium-sized, omnivorous mammal of the marsupial family, Phalangeridae. The most common and well-known species of possum is the common brushtail possum of Australia.


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Opossums animals, North America’s sole marsupial, are easily distinguished by their long tails, pointed faces, and huge, hairless ears. They are mostly gray, however, their coats can range from red to brown. The lengthy, white-tipped guard hairs on their thick coats give the bugs a grizzled look. Opossum tails are hairless and serve as an extra leg for climbing.

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where do possums live

Possums are native to Australia and New Guinea, but they have been introduced to other parts of the world, including North America. In the United States, possums are found in Alabama, Arkansas, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania.

opossum habitat

opossums animals are one of the most adaptable creatures in the United States. They can live in many different habitats, including forests, marshes, prairies, and even in cities. opossums are beneficial to their environment because they eat a lot of insects and other small animals.

what do possums eat

What do possums eat? Possums are omnivorous animals that eat both plants and meat. The possum’s diet consists primarily of invertebrates and insects, but they will also eat small vertebrates, such as lizards, and fruits and vegetables. they will also eat from compost piles, garbage cans, and pet food dishes, as they are opportunistic and will eat anything. They have been observed eating fish, birds, and mammals, as well as insects, fruit, and vegetation. Opossums typically have two to three litters every year, with each litter averaging seven young.

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what is a group of opossums called

A passel is a group of opossums, which is a fancy way of saying a bunch of them. They have more teeth in their carnivorous mouth than any other wild animal in North America, so they are dangerous predators. Because of their prehensile tail and “thumbs” (named hallux) on their feet, opossums are excellent climbers.

where do possums nest

Opossums animal will make their holes almost anywhere that they can find a dry, safe, and protected area. Burrows excavated by other animals, rock fissures, hollow stumps, wood piles, and places beneath structures are all examples. They insulate their dens with dried leaves, grass, and other materials. They will make their burrows almost anywhere that is dry, protected, and safe.

how long do opossums live

Opossums are one of the most interesting creatures in the animal kingdom. They’re also one of the longest living, with some specimens able to live up to Virginia opossum: 4 years, Common opossum: 2 years in the wild.

Top 12 Opossum Facts That Will Surprise and Excite You

Opossums are fascinating animals with a long, fascinating history. They are often overlooked as pests, but this is a mistake. The opossum is actually a very sociable animal that deserves more attention. If you want to learn more about these fascinating animals, here are 12 surprising opossum facts that will help you do just that.

Opossums animals are North America’s only marsupials

Opossum Facts That Will Surprise and Excite You, Opossums are North America’s only marsupials, which is a term used to describe mammals that carry their young in a pouch. Marsupials are a distinct mammalian order that is only found in the Western Hemisphere, Australia, and New Guinea. Opossums are arguably the most primitive living marsupials. They have a pouch that they use to carry their young. Opossums are nocturnal.

They are immune to the venom of rattlesnakes

Rattlesnakes are some of the most feared reptiles in North America, and with good reason. Their venom is potent and can kill an animal as large as a deer. But it turns out that there’s one creature immune to the venom of rattlesnakes: the opossum. Opossums are North America’s only marsupial, meaning that they carry their young in a pouch. They’re also one of the most adaptable creatures on the continent, able to live in a variety of environments. What’s interesting about opossums is that they’re immune to rattlesnake venom. Studies have shown that opossums who are bitten by rattlesnakes usually don’t die, and if they do, it’s usually because of infection or blood loss.

An opossum can hang from its tail for up to three hours

In the spirit of Halloween, we’re going to take a look at an animal that is sure to give you a scare – the opossum. This small, rat-like creature can hang from its tail for up to three hours and is known to play dead when it feels threatened. While they may not be the most frightening creature out there, opossums can still pose a threat to humans and their property. They are known carriers of rabies and other diseases and can damage homes and cars when they enter them in search of food or shelter. If you have an opossum problem, don’t try to take care of it yourself. Contact a professional pest control company for help

An opossum will fake its own death when threatened

Opossum facts That Will Surprise and Excite You, An opossum will “play possum” when threatened, pretending to be dead in order to avoid being eaten. This strategy works because most predators will lose interest once the opossum is motionless. The opossum is not the only animal that uses this strategy; many other animals, including spiders, snakes, and rodents, will also play dead when threatened.

They have a prehensile tail which they use to grasp tree branches

opossums are a small, Virginia-based mammal that is best known for two things: playing dead and having a prehensile tail. The latter of these is an adaptation that allows the possum to cling to tree branches, making it one of the only mammals which can hang from its tail. This ability has come in handy for the opossum on multiple occasions; not only does it help them escape danger, but it also gives them a way to access food that would otherwise be out of reach

possums are great swimmers and can even hold their breath for up to six minutes underwater

Possums are great swimmers and can hold their breath underwater for up to six minutes — just imagine the fun possum swim races that could be held!

Thousands of ticks are killed by opossums

Opossums are one of the most underrated animals in North America. They’re gentle, timid creatures that most people only see as pests. But did you know that opossums kill ticks by the thousands? Ticks are tiny parasites that attach themselves to mammals, feeding on their blood. They can transmit a variety of diseases, including Lyme disease, which can be fatal. Opossums are the only North American mammal that is immune to Lyme disease. They kill ticks by attaching them to their own bodies, then scratching and licking them off. This removes the threat of tick-borne illnesses for both the opossum and the people around it. So the next time you see an opossum in your yard, don’t be afraid! Thank it for saving you from the dangers of ticks.

Opossums are extremely agile

Opossums are known for their tree-climbing abilities, sharp claws, prehensile tails, and expert climbing skills. If you’ve seen an opossum at play, you might have thought it was a clumsy little critter. The truth is that opossums are expert tree climbers, with sharp claws, opposable thumbs on their hind feet, and a prehensile tail that allows them to scale trunks and cling to branches. In fact, opossums commonly nest in tree hollows.

The Invincible Opossum

Opossum Facts That Will Surprise and Excite You: Opossums aren’t invincible, but they do have some powerful natural defenses. Although it is rare, these animals are largely immune to rabies, and they’re also resistant to the venom of snakes like cottonmouths and rattlesnakes. They are also resistant to diseases carried by ticks.

Opossums Make Strange Sounds

https://youtu.be/k042fE8mhuQ

Opossums are amazing animals. They are fascinating creatures, and there is so much to know about them. One of the most interesting things about them is the variety of sounds that they make. I have heard them make all sorts of weird noises and it always fascinates me. In this post, I want to share some of the noises that opossums make

“Playing ‘Possum” Isn’t Make Believe

Opossums have several defense mechanisms, including growling, belching, and urinating. Their most famous defense mechanism, however, is “playing ‘possum,” which is similar to playing dead. The mechanism, however, is not the opossum pretending. The opossum seizes up as a result of an involuntary reaction, similar to fainting. To simulate sickness, opossums sometimes bare their teeth, foam at the mouth, and produce foul-smelling fluids from anal glands. An opossum can be catatonic for up to four hours, which is an effective deterrent to predators who avoid carrion. When threatened, opossums will also use this defense mechanism.

Baby Opossums Are Cute—and a Little Weird!

Opossums are marsupials, meaning that they carry their young in a pouch on their stomachs. Baby opossums, called joeys, are about the size of a honeybee when they are born. The joeys crawl to their mother’s pouch, where they will spend the next two to three months. Baby opossums stay with their mothers for about 100 days before venturing out of the pouch more and more. Instead of exploring on their own, they’ll frequently hitch a ride, clinging to their mother’s back as she scavenges. The baby opossums will stay with their mothers for about 100 days before venturing out of the pouch more and more. Instead of exploring on their own, they’ll frequently hitch a ride, clinging to their mother’s back as she scavenges (see video below).

https://youtu.be/XZozKbLiqc0

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  1. Learn more about the Opossum animal facts on Wikipedia.: Opossum – Wikipedia
  2. Find more facts about the Opossum animal facts – Opossums | National Geographic
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