opossums

Opossums are marsupials in the family Didelphidae and are native to the Americas. The Virginia opossum (Didelphis virginiana) is the best-known North American species and is often considered the typical representative of the group. Opossums are the only marsupials found north of the tropical regions of the Americas, and they occupy a wide range of habitats, including forests, wetlands, and increasingly urban and suburban areas.

Physically, opossums have a slender body, a long prehensile tail, and fur that is typically grayish with a pale underside. Their tails aid in balance and grasping branches, but they do not store fat as some other animals do. Female opossums carry their young in a pouch that opens toward the rear. After a short gestation, newborns crawl to one of the teats, and as many as about 13 young can attach to teats and continue development in the pouch for roughly two months. The young then ride on the mother’s back for several weeks until they are capable of independent life.

Opossums are omnivorous and highly adaptable feeders, consuming insects, fruits, seeds, eggs, small vertebrates, carrion, and human leftovers. They tend to be nocturnal and rely on a strong sense of smell and hearing. Their reproductive strategy allows rapid population growth, with multiple litters possible when resources are abundant.

In behavior, opossums are known for playing dead when threatened. They are generally nonconfrontational and can tolerate disturbed habitats, though they face threats from vehicle collisions, habitat loss, and some predators. The IUCN lists the Virginia opossum as Least Concern, and opossums as a whole are recognized for their ecological role in pest control and scavenging.