***NY- Game Species***

    Opossum are most often seen as roadkill on country roads or highways.  It is often attributed to their feeding habits- they often eat carrion, but it also has to do with their defense.  They run straight away from the approaching threat.  Of course they are no match for the speed of a car.  Opossum also have another defense, the peculiar "playing 'possum," - faking death.  When molested to a certain point and they feel there is no way to escape Opossums roll over and stop moving.  Although this is a common practice this species is more apt to bluff its attacker by hissing and exposing its teeth.  They will bite, but seldom do.  Opossums are a common species, but seldom seen because of their strictly nocturnal habits.  They have adapted well to human presence and are common in suburbs where they have been known to feed on cat food left out for stray cats.
    Opossums are the state's only marsupial.  They can have up to three litters of 12-14 young each.  They young are born the size of a single pea and spend the first two months in the pouch before venturing out to see the world.