Opossum Unique

Animals Unique | Opossum Unique | The opossum is a medium-sized animal is found inhabiting That Farmland and forested areas of North America. The opossum is thought to have evolved from the basic marsupials That lived in the jungles of South America.


The opossum is Often Referred to as a possum, although there is no direct link Between the possums of Australia and the opossum of America.

The opossum is the only species of marsupials That is found outside of Australia's it's surrounding islands.The opossum is found inhabiting areas of Grassland, Farmland and woodland in North America. The opossum is also found in urban areas where the opossum can be a pest as it feeds on rubbish, and food That it finds lying around. The opossum is Generally found in areas close to water are That.The opossum is known to be one of the world's animals That carries rabies and the opossum is much more Likely to have the disease than any other animal. Opossums are also thought to have some immunity towards the venom of Certain as pit vipers Such snakes and rattlesnakes. The opossum is an omnivorous animal and will eat almost anything That it can find. Mainly opossums feed on insects, frogs, birds, snakes, small Mammals, and earthworms.

The opossum is also a great scavenger and will feed on left over kills of other animals along with road-kill.The opossum has a number of natural predators in it's environment although the main predators of the opossum are birds of prey and owls Such as eagles, dogs, foxes and cats. Humans are one of the main predators of the opossum as They hunt them for meat but the opossum is also commonly killed on the roads by cars.As with all marsupials, the female opossum has a pouch in the which it rears it's young. The opossum Gives birth to as many as 15 babies, the which are born in just a couple of weeks. After birth, the opossum babies, crawl up into their mother's pouch where They continue to grow and develop until a couple of They are months old.The opossum is an animal That Is not Threatened with extinction due to deforestation and although habitat loss, opossums are Becoming increasingly common in urban and suburban areas.

Opossum Unique Facts
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: mammals
Order: Didelphimorphia
Family: Didelphidae
Genus: Didelphis
Scientific Name: Didelphis Virginiana
Type: Mammal
Diet: omnivore
Size: 15-45cm (5.9-18in)
Weight: 0.5-6kg (1.1-13lbs)
Top Speed: 25km / h (15mph)
Life Span: 2-7 years
Lifestyle: Solitary
Conservation Status: Least Concern
Colour: Black, Brown, White, Grey
Skin Type: Fur
Favourite Food: Fruit
Habitat: Forest and Farmland close to water
Average Litter Size: 6
Main Prey: Fruit, Insects, Frogs
Predators: Fox, Cat, Birds of Prey
Special Features: Long prehensile tail and sharp claws