OPOSSUM FACTS:
Copyright © 2005 - Laura Ledet - All Rights Reserved
"PLAYING POSSUM":
This behaviour is thought to be the opossums way of esaping being eaten by predators.
However, some authorities believe this phenomenon results more from a temporary
paralytic reaction of the nervous system than to a traumatic situation.
The possums first line of defense is to hiss, growl and bare its formidable teeth.
if the predator is not deterred, the opossum will play dead.
Laying on its side, comletely limp, tongue hanging out, it will often defecate and
emit a foul smelling green liquid from its anal glands in oder to dissuade the
predator from eating it. During this catatonic-like state, the opossums respiratory
and heart rate is markedly decreased and this condition can last for several hours.
SLOBBERING:
Yes, it is very normal for opossums to slobber and rub their faces on objects,
including people. This is their way of marking their territory! They also love
hair, they will get up on your head and chew it, slobber and even bite your
scalp for good measure!
YOUNG:
Baby opossums are usually born between the months of February and June.
Females give birth 11-13 days after conception.
Over 20
infants may be born although an average litter consists of 8-9
infants. The infants are so small at birth that 20 could fit into a
teaspoon!
When preparing to deliver, the female assumes a sitting position, and begins to lick
the vaginal area. The babies, soon begin to emerge, are grossly underdeveloped,
not surprising, given their very short gestation period. They are naked,
blind, almost transparent, about half an inch long, weigh 1/200th of an ounce,
and are slightly smaller than a honeybee.
At this stage only the front legs are developed enough to be useful. These are
fixed with claws and are sufficiently powerful to allow the embryo-like young
opossums to make their way a few inches up their mother’s belly and into her warm,
moist pouch. Here they attach themselves to one of thirteen teats. If
there are more than thirteen babies, only those babies able to grasp a teat will
survive. Once the nipple is in the baby’s mouth, it swells, making it virtually
irremovable. This vital connection remains unbroken for about two months.
The young remain in the pouch for about 2 1/2 months and
at around 55-70
days the eyes open. Soon they will begin to travel around on their mother’s back
instead of in her pouch, and eventually begin finding food on their own,
leaving their mother for short periods of time. If one of the young becomes
separated from its mother it
will make sneezing sounds to call her. She,
in turn, will make
clicking sounds.Young are weaned at approximately
3 months of age and are
on their own at 4 1/2 - 5 months when they
are 7-9 inches long from nose to rump.
MALE OR FEMALE?
The most obvious difference between males and females is of course the genitals.
Although you might not see the penis, the testicles are usually quite visible.
Another male trait in older opossums is the head and teeth. Males tend to have larger
heads and their canine teeth are also much larger, which can be seen hanging
down on either side of their mouths even when their mouths are closed.
In contrast, the females have pouches that form a vertical slit in their abdominal
region, and their head and teeth are smaller.
OPOSSUMS AND RABIES:
Did you know that opossums are highly resistant to the rabies virus? This
is thought to be because of their lower body temperature, which
ranges from
94-97 degrees, making it very difficult for the virus to survive in
an opossum's body.
HABITAT:
Opossums often move around, making temporary dwellings in hollowed out logs,
under fallen trees, or in a burrow or nest left by another animal. They are also
quite at home living under decks, crawl spaces, porches or stairs.
FOOD:
In the wild, opossums will eat just about anything, although they seem to prefer
insects and carrion. They also eat vegetation, amphibians, reptiles,
earthworms, birds, eggs, and small mammals. Seeds and fallen fruit from trees
are also eaten. In general, opossums eat food where they find it, including pet
food, and trash. If you are in the habit of leaving cat or dog food outside,
they will greedily consume that as well.
BEHAVIOR:
Opossums are most active at night. They are solitary creatures that rarely stay in one place for long, and
except for brief periods during severe weather, they remain active during the winter months.
THE OPOSSUMS TAIL:
An Opossum's hairless tail is prehensile and is used for grasping branches,
balancing and carrying nesting material.
Baby opossums use their tails to cling to
their mother’s fur or tail while riding on her back. Despite the popular
belief, opossums do not sleep hanging from a tree limb by their tail.
Its tail is prehensile. A prehensile tail is adapted for grasping and wrapping around things like tree
limbs. The opossum can hang from its tail for a short time. Some people think opossums hang from their
tails and sleep. They don't. Their tails aren't strong enough to hold them for that long!
........
This is Tucker. Notice how they use their tails to carry nesting material around.
OPOSSUM SIGHT:
Opossum's eyesight is well adapted to their nocturnal life, they are also thought to
depend heavily on smell, touch, and hearing for finding food.
Opossums are very competent climbers and also posess the ability to swim.
OPOSSUM TEETH:
The Opossum has 50 teeth, more than any North American land mammal!!!
Photo Courtesy of: Katelin Welles
OPOSSUMS ARE NORTH AMERICA'S ONLY MARSUPIAL!!!
Fossil remains of virtually unchanged opossum have been
found from 70 million
years ago! Remarkably, they shared the earth
with dinosaurs!
**** Opossums have opposable thumbs on their hind legs!
**** They rank above dogs in learning and discrimination.
**** The adult opossum does not hang upside down by the tail;
a
common misconception.
**** The opossum is an extremely clean animal. They groom and
bathe themselves
as meticulously the most finicky house cat, and have
been observed to stop in the midst of
eating to clean themselves
several times before finishing.
**** Adult opossums are immune to the venom of copperheads,
rattlesnakes, and cottonmouths!
**** Most people think opossums live in trees; while they will
sometimes recycle
an old squirrel's nest; they much prefer to inhabit
underground dens.
**** Opossums have poor eyesight but a very keen
sense of
hearing and smell.
**** Due to very low core body temperature, unsuitable for
viruses,
opossums have not been known to contract canine or feline
distemper, parvo, and
most other diseases associated with dogs and
cats.
This low body temp also makes it unlikely for an opossum to carry the rabies virus!!!
**** The name "opossum" is derived from an Algonquian
word "apasum", meaning white animal.
THERE'S AN OPOSSUM IN MY YARD, WHAT SHOULD I DO
?
Nothing. Opossums are very beneficial, eating harmful pests in your garden such as
snails, slugs, rats, mice, snakes, spiders and other insects.
If this is an orphaned or injured opossum, contact a local rehabber (see links page)
HOW TO TRAP AND REMOVE AN OPOSSUM FROM YOUR YARD:
One thing to remember is that opossums eat all sorts of things most folks don't want
in their yards: slugs, insects, rodents etc. However, if you still want
the opossum gone and you do not have one of the Humane-No Kill traps, here is a
way I was told will work (although I have never tried this myself):
Take a large empty garbage can, place cooked meat and fruit in the bottom. Now
place the garbage can near objects that will enable an opossum to climb up and get
the can. The idea is that once inside, the possum cannot climb back out.
Make sure to check it first thing in
the morning. If you discover a possum
inside,
simply slide the animal into a box, secure it, and re-locate the animal. If you have a
large enough vehicle, you can transport the garbage can itself.
Try and choose a well wooded location, with a water source nearby.
**** Keep in mind that there is always the possibility you might be
removing a female opossum who has a nest of babies nearby
who are not
yet old enough to be separated from her!!!
Shake-Away is the Strongest Opossum Control in Nature.
What is Shake-Away's method of opossum control? It is a strong, granular
repellent that contains the scent of the opossum’s most feared predator, the fox.
Opossum Repellant that's All Natural, Safe and Easy!
1. Other animal control methods are time consuming to use, messy to apply and some
are even harmful to people, plants and animals.
Shake-Away is different. Look at the benefits:
Easy to apply powder – Applies in just minutes. Safe to use around children pets
and plants - 100% Organic
Makes NO mess of you or your landscape.
Does NOT harm the animals you are repelling.
Uses the strongest force in nature
(instinctive FEAR) to your advantage
And it is guaranteed.
Shake-Away - Get Rid of Your Opossum problem Naturally. Go to the following
website and click on "Easy Opossum Removal" in the left hand column:
KEEPING POSSUMS AWAY NATURALLY
****There have been injuries reported when useing the Hav-A-Hart traps.
In an attempt to escape, the opossums are wedging their noses
underneath the door that drops down at an angle, scraping
all the skin off their noses.
WILL OPOSSUMS ATTACK MY PETS??
Not likely. A cat may injure or kill a very young opossum but cats and adult
opossums seem to have a mutual respect for each other and leave each other alone.
Dogs have been known to kill both young and adult opossums.
In general, opossums are pretty docile and non-aggressive creatures who would rather
avoid confrontation. They can and will however, bite defensively or "play
dead" when feeling threatened.
WHAT SOUNDS DO OPOSSUMS MAKE?
Besides the hissing and growling an opossum will do in a threatening situation, you
might also hear a sound that closely resembles a sort of hushed "choo-chooing"
sound. I have heard this sound eminating from infants, and it is believed
to be their way of calling for each other and their mother.
Another sound you will hear is a "clicking" sort of sound that males will make when
they sense a female is closeby, or when they are seeking a female.
HOW CAN I BECOME A WILDLIFE REHABILITATOR
?
If you are inteested
in becoming a licensed wildlife Rehabilitator then contact your state’s
Department of wildlife for information about requirements and obtaining permits.
Rules and requirements vary by state. Make sure you have the financial means,
space, time and dedication before making the commitment to enter the wildlife
rehabilitation profession. You can gain
valuable hands-on experience
and knowledge by volunteering with a local wildlife organization
or individual wildlife rehabilitator.
DO OPOSSUMS HIBERNATE??
Opossums do not hibernate, but during very cold weather they may nest in a
hollow log or abandoned burrow to stay warm.
LINKS!
