Virginia opossum
The Virginia opossum (Didelphis virginiana) is the only species of North American marsupial. It is sometimes called a possum, but that refers more correctly to a group of Australian marsupials.
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| Didelphis virginiana | |
Description
An opossum is about the size of a house cat. It has grizzled white and gray fur. Adult opossums weigh about 2-6 kg (4-14 lbs). They live alone, are active at night, and they are good climbers.
Habitat
People can find this opossum in the eastern United States, and along the west coast from British Columbia and to Baja California. They like to live in forests, brushy areas, and farmland.
Virginia Opossum Media
Skull of a Virginia opossum
The back foot has an opposable "thumb".
Opossum tracks (photo center) in mud: Left-fore print appears on left center of photo, right-hind print appears right center. The small, circular tracks at bottom center of photo were made by a meadow vole. The yellow ruler (top) is in inches.
Pacing diagram for Virginia opossum - key: rectangles represent hind tracks, ellipses are fore tracks, left tracks are red, right are green. (a) the position of the four feet frozen in mid-pace. (b) the opossum brings right fore and hind feet forward. (c) the opossum brings left fore and hind feet forward. One grid square represents one square inch.
When injured or threatened (e.g., by a dog), the Virginia opossum is known to feign death or "play possum".
Night camera shows video of an opossum considering a bagel before walking away
Virginia opossum in northeastern Ohio
This image was taken during the day (the Virginia opossum is mostly nocturnal). The mother is carrying 9 young on her back.
Virginia opossum cornered in a piano in Houston, Texas, shortly before its release
References
- ↑ Cuarón A.D. (2008). Didelphis virginiana. 2008 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2008. Retrieved on 28 December 2008. Database entry includes justification for why this species is of least concern
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Wikispecies has information on: Didelphis virginiana. |