Eastern United States and adjacent Canada, west to central Texas and south to Central America
Habitat
Prefers wooded areas but will come near houses and gardens
Diet
Insects, fruit, berries, vegetables, birds, eggs
Weight
6 – 10 lbs.
Body Length
30 – 37 in.
Tail Length
10 - 21 in.
Gestation
12 – 13 days
Young
5 – 21
IUCN Status
Least Concern
Facts
It is the only living North American marsupial.
When playing possum they will remain still, will not blink, and their tongue will hang out. They are able to remain completely still in the fainting state for less than a minute or up to 6 hours.
Are immune to the venom of a variety of snakes including rattlesnakes, copperheads, cottonmouths and moccasins
It has 50 teeth, more than any North American land mammal.
They have a hairless, prehensile tail.
Has the shortest gestation period of any North American mammal (12 – 13 days).
Newborns are smaller than a dime, very underdeveloped, blind, and helpless.
Young stay in the pouch for approximately 2 months, remaining attached to the nipple for about 7 weeks.
Conservation
The Virginia opossum is common and widespread. There are no major threats to this species. Opossums are hunted and trapped for food and fur in certain areas of their range, but the majority of mortality is caused by collision with motor vehicles.
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