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Opossums are the only Marsupials native to North America . Like other Marsupials (Kangaroos & Koala Bears) Opossums carry their babies in a pouch. Opossums are also Mammals, which means they produce milk for their young. As the babies get bigger, they often ride on their mother's back until they are big enough to walk beside her.

Opossums eat many different things. They are considered scavengers. That means that they will eat Carrion (dead animals). Opossums are one of the few animals who can eat Carrion and not get sick. Scientists are studying this ability of the Opossum to help people. It's another one of their special adaptations. They also eat bugs, snails, worms and mice and some plants. Opossums are nocturnal, which means that they are awake when it's dark, and sleep when it's light outside. The animals that they hunt are also out at night. These are the Opossum's prey.

Opossums are nomadic animals, which means that they do not have one place that they live. They spend their lives traveling around looking for food. When they find a place with enough food to last for a few days, they will find a dark quiet place to make a nest. They will gather sticks and leaves and wrap their tails around it to carry back to their hiding spot! This unique feature is called a prehensile tail.

When an Opossum feels threatened, they have a special way of trying to protect themselves. They pretend they are dead. They lie down and remain perfectly still. That's where the saying "playing possum" comes from. Opossums will play dead until they feel the threat has passed. Opossums have many predators. Predators are other animals who hunt Opossums. Some of the Opossum's predators are Owls, Coyotes, and people. Why do people hunt Opossums? Some people think that Opossums are bad animals. They don't understand that Opossums are helpful to us by eating bugs and mice. Also, some people think that if they see an Opossum, that they are sick and may bite someone. Opossums, like other nocturnal animals are sometimes out during the day. Maybe someone disturbed them while they were sleeping, and the Opossum decided to move to another place to rest! Also, some people think that Opossums are ugly and want to hurt them for just that reason. Do you think that anyone should hurt an animal or another person just because they don't like the way they look? We dont!

Did you know that opossums don't play dead consciously? It's a response they have no control over - it's like fainting. They'll pass out, their heart rate and breathing will slow, and they will sometimes drool.

Fun Fact #3 Marsupial babies are an embryo, and once born they must swim through the Momma's fur into the pouch.

Fun Fact #5 Twenty babies may be born 11-13 days after breeding. The average litter is 8-9 infants. If 20 babies were born, they could fit into a teaspoon.

Fun Fact #7 Babies remain in the Momma's pouch for 2-1/2 months. Their eyes open at 55-70 days and when they get too big for the pouch they move out of the pouch to the Momma's back.

Fun Fact #8 If one of the young gets lost, the Momma makes a clicking noise, and the infant makes a sneezing noise to try to find each other.

If an accident occurs and the Mom doesn't survive her injuries, the babies in the pouch could be alive. Should this occur, a local Wildlife Rehabilitator should be contacted to help with the infants.