1. Opossum Didelphimorphia
By: Kaitlyn Haglund

2. Related Animals
Water Opossum
Mexican Mouse Opossum
Huon Tree Kangaroo

3. Physical Description Long, slender body with a pointed snout.
Coarse black, grayish-white or reddish fur with white tipped guard hairs.
Pinkish-White face with a pink nose and dark eyes.
Each foot contains 5 digits. - Back foot has an opposable toe which is used for grasping.
Average length from nose to tail Feet
Usually weigh from Pounds

4. Location Mostly located in the east and midwest.
Some in Mexico and on the west.

5. Population The population is growing. Reasons: Uncontrolled growth
Lack of Predators

6. Basic Terminology Male -> Jack Female -> Jill
Their young -> Joeys
Group -> Passel

7. Group Relationships
They typically travel alone, but do travel in groups.
Do not keep the same partner.

8. Reproduction
Mating Time - Starts as early as October and goes through December.
11-13 days after mating, 20+ infants can be born.
They are the size of a honeybee at this time.
After birth, they go to the pouch where they further their development.
Remain in pouch for 2 ½ - 3 months.
Females usually have 2 litters a year.

9. Lifecycle Born after 11-13 days.
Then they go to the pouch-stay there for days.
Stay on their mother’s back until they are 3 ½ months old.
They then go and live on
their own.
Average lifespan = years.

10. Habitat Forest, farmland, grassland, urban & suburban areas.
Live near water.
Nest in hollows of trees or in burrows of other animals, under brush piles, under houses/decks, garages, sheds, or attics.
Has to be a cool, dark, & quiet place so they can sleep during the day.

11. Diet & Digestive System
Omnivore & A Scavenger
Insects, Mice, Rat, Birds, Fruits & Berries, Vegetables, Slugs & Snails, Ground Eggs, Mushrooms
Carrion - decaying flesh of animals (roadkill)

12. Food Chain They eat: They are hunted by:
Berries, Fruit, Eggs, Amphibians, Reptiles
They are hunted by:
Dogs, Foxes, Coyotes, Owls, Hawks,

13. Unique Facts They are mostly immune to rabies.
Their tails are adapted for hanging and carrying.
Natural defenses - when harmed they belch, growl, or urinate. If that doesn’t work - they play dead for 1 minute - 6 hours.

14. Works Cited
"Opossum Physical Characteristics." Opossum Physical Characteristics. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Dec
"Opossums, Opossum Pictures, Opossum Facts - National Geographic."National Geographic. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 Dec
"10 Things You Didn't Know about Opossums." MNN. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Dec