Most opossums are around the size of a housecat. These marsupials have an elongated snout, and a large sagittal crest – a bone making their forehead look taller. They have scaly feet, and a scaly prehensile tail. A prehensile tail can be wrapped around branches to stabilize the animal while climbing.
Opossums, the only naturally occurring marsupial in North America, are incredibly interesting creatures. They have a number of distinguishing characteristics that are typically unknown to the general population. These scary-looking creatures are unfortunately misunderstood. Let’s learn a little more about them and find out why.
Opossums prefer woody habitats, particularly deciduous forests that seasonally shed their leaves. They are also commonly found close to a water source, such as a stream or lake. Opossums are, however, highly adaptable. They have become quite adept at surviving in urban areas.
There are over 100 species of opossum, but only one species lives north of Mexico, the Virginia opossum. The Virginia opossum can be found from Central America all the way to Canada. Other opossum species can be found from Mexico to the tip of South America.
Opossums are opportunistic feeders, which means that they feed on a wide variety of items to survive. They eat carrion, small animals, insects, reptiles, eggs, plants, and garbage.
Opossums have not been domesticated in any way.
Opossums require a varied diet and enrichment to be happy and healthy. Diets should reflect their natural prey as close as possible. They should also be provided with foraging opportunities and other environmental enrichment “toys” to keep them stimulated.
Opossums are mainly solitary, but will share a living space with other animals. They will remain in a location as long as food and water are readily available, and will move on when resources run out. This behavior is called nomadic living. Opossums are nocturnal, and emerge from their dens to forage for food at night.
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