Young opossums will make sneezing sounds or a soft “choo choo” to call out to their mother, who will respond with clicking noises. My cat brought her in as a present one evening and I didn’t have the heart to put her back out into the yard, not knowing what happened to her mother. To prevent motion sickness, suck on some ginger candy while traveling. They also eat land snails, … Despite several interactions with humans. opossum rabies. They will bring them to facilities where they can get the proper help and rehabilitation they need. 3. https://www.facebook.com/TheFarmersAlmanac/. Opossums Make Strange Sounds And when an opossum is threatened, it may hiss or growl. The most-widely found opossum is the Virgina opossum, which forms the only pouched mammal in Canada and the United States. Their tails are prehensile and can be used to help them climb and hold onto tree branches. Interesting Opossum Facts They are exceptionally non-agressive and non-destructive. I have listed my Top 7 Opossum facts about these amazing creatures! Cute! OPOSSUMS AND POSSUMS AREN’T THE SAME ANIMAL. Hurry home ’cause I get into trouble when you are assuming. Opossums Are Incredibly Agile. She is almost 3 months old now and is an absolute sweetheart. Great picker upper! The opossum (order Didelphimorphia) is the only marsupial found in the Americas. Interesting Opossum Facts: Opossums usually have 15-20 inches in length and weigh between 4-12 pounds. Winter Solstice: When Is It, And What Is It? See more ideas about opossum, opossum facts, animals wild. Opossums have 50 teeth, more than any North American mammal. I have been putting food scraps out and happily the other night on my way to work the night shift I met the possum who has been taking advantage of my offer. They're Not Aggressive They also do not carry or transmit diseases to humans, which makes it safer to be near them. Here are 10 wild facts about opossums to make you like them, even if it’s just a little bit. My neighbor and I don’t see eye to eye. 7 Interesting Facts About Virginia Opossums >> Virginia opossums are nocturnal (most active at night). But I leave them be. But what’s more interesting is that it often ‘plays dead,’ sometimes for hours, to thwart off an attack (remember Crash and Eddie from the movie Ice Age?). A short childhood. 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. The young are referred to as joeys, just like their Australian cousins. They are nocturnal, yes, but I’ve noticed when any of them have babies whether visible or not it seems more common. Opossums are adorable wild creatures found in North and South America. Do tell us about your experience in the comment section below. They are immune to the venom of most snakesfound in their habitat, including rattlesnakes and pit vipers. They’re not the cutest, in fact, some go as far as calling them ugly. Commonly known as "possums", these pests are the only marsupial native to the United States. In fact, opossums love trees so much that they often nest in tree hollows. But instead of wandering around on their own, they’ll often hitch a ride, clinging to their mother’s back as she scavenges (see video below). Consider these opossum facts before enticing them to stay: As scavengers, opossums will gladly consume pet food left outdoors. Adult opossums reach an overall body length of … This information is for educational purposes only and not a substitute for professional health services. Fun Facts Due to an opossum's low body temperature and successful immune system, it's very rare for one to carry rabies. Copyright ©2020. Sign up today for inspiring articles, tips & weather forecasts. If you’ve ever watched an opossum at play, it might have struck you as a somewhat clumsy little critter. Thank you for providing factual information on these precious beings whom are often maligned in the media and are accused of spreading diseases to humans etc, These are trash opossum facts make some true ones not fascinating. The Virginia opossum (Didelphis virginiana) is the single species found in the United States, but at least 103 species occur in the Western Hemisphere.The word "opossum" comes from the Powhatan or Algonquian name for the animal, which roughly translates as "white dog." Mother's Day: Facts, Folklore, Recipes, and Ideas, Father's Day: History and Celebration Ideas. We can’t make up facts, sorry you didn’t like the real ones! Opossums have several defense mechanisms, including growling, belching, and urinating when threatened. I’m not sure if they are all moms, but everywhere I’ve lived there’s always been the daytime opportunists but none of then have been sick. 4th Month Pregnancy Diet - Which Foods To Eat And Avoid? It is a pouched mammal just like koala or kangaroo.. According to most websites, they do carry fleas as do all wild animals. Opossums are voracious eaters that will try anything they find, something you know quite well if you’ve ever found one pawing through your garbage bins. These creatures do NOT need your help! They Can’t Help Playing Dead. 6. Other animals are needing their carcasses to live. Opossums Are Incredibly Agile However, their most famous defense mechanism is “playing ‘possum,” similar to playing dead. Last night I found 2 more in the garage – one older and one younger. They will flop down and be very still with their tongue hanging out to trick predators. Marsupials are a fairly small class of animals that raise their young in a pouch, and include kangaroos, wombats, koalas, and opossum. I’ve rescued possums about 6 years ago, their momma was attacked by a coyote. Cats pay no attention to them. I love watching them eat, them groom themselves. The opportunistic critter can eat anything and hisses to defend itself from an attacker. However, they do have a few distinctive calls. Opossums Kill Ticks by the Thousands If you thought their gestation period was short, well so is their childhood! We agree! Among all the wildlife visitor to your back yard, opossums are one of the best to have around. Adults usually weigh between 6 and 13 pounds, and their bodies, from nose-tip to tail-tip, are between 2 and 3 feet long. Love the video and thank you for the education! I love possums, and live at the edge of a forest. Thanks again for the education! They have excellent memories and return night after night to finish up what Fido or kitty leave behind. 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. I had an older one in my garage where I feed some cats and he got run over. They’re also largely immune to venom from snakes like cottonmouths and rattlesnakes. These thumbs are on the back feet as well as on the front feet. The Indestructible Opossum? Hi Roseann, Oh no! I feed possums at my property, even was able to pet and bring one in for a spell and then tragically today, one was dead on the road, went to see if it was one I fed and saw something move, one of her babies, eyes still not open, all the others were dead. Thank you. Did you ever see an opossum play dead? The only opossum species occurring north of Mexico is the Virginia opossum (Didelphis virginiana), which ranges from lower eastern Canada and Puget Sound southward to Costa Rica; other members of that genus are found in South America.The Virginia opossum may grow to 100 cm (40 inches) in length (including the tail) and is about the size of a house cat. Fun Facts The Virginia (or common) opossum is the only North American marsupial. Chinese New Year: Traditions and Superstitions, Spring Equinox and the First Day of Spring, Summer Solstice and the First Day of Summer, https://www.facebook.com/TheFarmersAlmanac/. We’d love to see pictures, Rhayge! Its binomial name, Didelphis virginiana, refers to the animal being “two-wombed” and hailing from an area that includ… The Virginia opossum has more teeth than any other North American Mammal - … Circle of life, Simba. Possums are protected wildlife in Australia. The reality is, opossums are incredibly useful, and typically misunderstood. 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