They can also swim or climb to escape from danger. Possums are omnivores, meaning they both eat plants and animals. Opossums Kill Ticks by the Thousands Opossums are voracious eaters that will try anything they find, something you know quite well if you’ve ever found one pawing through your garbage bins. They are light gray in color and basically look like big rats. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});Most marsupials live in Australia, but one—the opossum—lives right here in North America. However, the Center for Disease Control reports that in the United States, the vast majority of recorded rabies cases come from the bite of 4 animals - raccoons, skunks, foxes and bats. They are the only marsupials that live in North America and Canada. A possum is a type of animal called a marsupial. They use their sharp claws, tails and mouth to climb trees. More than 60 different species of opossum live on the earth. During the day, they hide in old tree stumps or burrows. Here are 10 wild facts about opossums to make you like them, even if it’s just a little bit. When they think they are in danger, Opossums will play dead AKA "playing possum". Interesting Facts About the Opossum. The site includes the animal's diet, habitat, reproductive behavior, geographic location and the conservation status. The Virginia opossum has more teeth than any other North American Mammal - 50, to be exact. Both will use their tails for carrying nesting materials such as bunches of grass by looping their tails around them. They also feed on eggs, frogs, plants, fruits and grain. They’ll even eat garbage and dead animals. [3] Captain John Smith, an English explorer, is credited with naming the opossum during his visit to the … The Virginia Opossum (Didelphis virginiana), sometimes called a possum, is a marsupial.There are many marsupials in Australia, but the Virginia Opossum is the only North American marsupial.. Adult opossums weigh about 2-6 kg (4-14 lbs). The opossum’s long pink tail is prehensile, meaning it can be used as a fifth hand. They also eat dead animals of all types. Let’s learn a little more about them and find out why. This behavior has given rise to the expression ‘playing possum.’ Description. Sometimes an opossum may play dead for hours to evade a Brought to you by the National Pest Management Association. Facts about Opossum We Missed. The Virginia Opossum was the first animal to be named an opossum: the word comes from the Algonquian language, and means "white beast". Opossums really do play dead. Fun Facts for Kids. They have long tails and pointy noses. Scientists estimate that a single opossum can kill about 5,000 ticks in Opossums are usually called Possums in North America. Opossums are marsupials , or animals that carry their young in a pouch. Web. The species’ behavior gave rise to the phrase ‘playing possum’. In 1837 some of New Zealand’s early european settlers brought Australian possums to New Zealand hoping to start a fur industry. Commonly known as "possums", these pests are the only marsupial native to the United States. Interesting & Fun Facts About Opossums . Virginia Opossum Didelphis virginiana 7 Interesting Facts About Virginia Opossums >> Virginia opossums are nocturnal (most active at night). Published September 30, 2019. See more ideas about opossum, critter, possum. Babies immediately crawl into the mother's pouch, where they continue to develop. Baby opossums are so tiny at birth that 10 can fit in a teaspoon! Find more information on opossums at the official NPMA website. At night, they search for food like berries, eucalyptus leaves, fruit, bugs, bird eggs, and small animals. Fact 8: Unique Tail. Fact 3. If you’ve ever watched an opossum at play, it might have struck you … Opossums are not really scared of humans for they do live near human settlements. .. Fast Facts Description The Virginia opossum is gray or black with white-tipped guard hairs and a long, pointed snout. Opossum, also spelled possum, any of slightly more than 100 species of New World marsupial mammals in the orders Didelphimorphia, Paucituberculata (see rat opossum), and Microbiotheria (see monito del monte). 21 Strange Facts About Cleopatra You Didn’t Know History. Easy Science for Kids. They do not dig into the soil or destroy property. Sometimes they play dead. Opossums are about the size of a big cat. It prowls along the ground or climbs trees. Apr 20, 2019 - Explore Audrey Renneberg-voges's board "Opossum facts" on Pinterest. Virginia opossums deal with extreme heat by cooling themselves down by spreading their saliva. Mark their home ranges. Join us as we take a look at a few facts that make up the opossum! They like areas with rivers or streams nearby. Take the FREE & fun all about Opossums quiz and download FREE Opossums worksheet for kids. 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