Baby opossums are so tiny at birth that 10 can fit in a teaspoon! The word Opossums are great at reducing the tick population in a given area. The female produces 20 – 30 litters in February and June but the maximum litter size can reach up to 50. If you thought their gestation period was short, well so is their childhood! Mark their home ranges. They will not harm people or pets. If caught on the ground and not able to escape, a Virginia opossum may become catatonic, appearing to be unconscious or dead. Like other marsupials, opossums have thumbs, called an opposable hallux, on their paws. Virginia Opossum Facts: Feigning death. They have long, skinny tails with no fur and pointed noses and are about two-and-a-half feet long from the tip of their noses to the end of their tails. Fur color may be grayish white, brown, or nearly black. Opossums also eat dog food, cat food and human food waste. 31 Interesting & Surprising Facts about the Internet. Other than that, they are often found near residential areas, on farms and backyards. Many of the same threats imperil the critically endangered western ringtail possum. These thumbs are on the back feet as well as on the front feet. They are often called possums, though that term is more properly applied to Australian fauna of the suborder Phalangeriformes.. Their tails are prehensile and can be used to help them climb and hold onto tree branches. Due to an opossum's low body temperature and successful immune system, it's very rare for one to carry rabies. By Madeline Thatcher, Associate Writer. The Virginia Opossum was the first animal to be named an opossum: the word comes from the Algonquian language, and means "white beast". Opossums are scavengers and clean up dead animal carcasses. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. They can stay zoned out for hours, emitting a … Clear away bushes, woodpiles and other hiding places. Opossums are not really scared of humans for they do live near human settlements. They often find food in human garbage. These scary-looking creatures are unfortunately misunderstood. They can also swim or climb to escape from danger. [3] Captain John Smith, an English explorer, is credited with naming the opossum during his visit to the … This means it can grip branches. Fun Facts. Opossums are immune to the toxins in bee and scorpion stings. Apr 20, 2019 - Explore Audrey Renneberg-voges's board "Opossum facts" on Pinterest. Opossums are marsupials , or animals that carry their young in a pouch. Opossum Facts for Kids. Both will use their tails for carrying nesting materials such as bunches of grass by looping their tails around them. The species’ behavior gave rise to the phrase ‘playing possum’. They also feed on eggs, frogs, plants, fruits and grain. Opossum Facts. An opossum is about the size of a house cat.It has grizzled white and gray fur. The tail slightly prehensile (grasping) and mostly hairless. AN OFFENSIVE ODOR SELLS THE PERFORMANCE. More than 60 different species of opossum live on the earth. The Virginia possum is well-known for playing dead when it is threatened. Opossum is resistant to diseases like rabies, because of its efficient immune system and low body temperature. Fun Opossums Facts for Kids ." Opossums are immune to … They have long tails and pointy noses. Opossums can hang upside down by their tails for a little while, but they can’t sleep this way. They lay can lie still for hours and even their breathing slows down. Even when confronted with a predator, they will use the infamous "playing possum" technique to appear dead and avoid an actual brawl. They are sometimes called possums. At night, it comes out of its hiding place and spends most of its time looking for food. They eat almost anything, including fruit, nuts, insects, frogs, lizards, eggs and plants. Opossum Facts & Trivia for kids There are over 100 species of Opposums. They are light gray in color and basically look like big rats. In 1837 some of New Zealand’s early european settlers brought Australian possums to New Zealand hoping to start a fur industry. .. They are the only marsupials that live in North America and Canada. Opossums are omnivores, so they eat a wide range of plants and animals. The opossum’s long pink tail is prehensile, meaning it can be used as a fifth hand. Sometimes this trick will allow opossums to escape. They were present on the Earth at the same time when dinosaurs lived. Virginia opossums deal with extreme heat by cooling themselves down by spreading their saliva. Retrieved from https://easyscienceforkids.com/all-about-opossums/, Copyright © 2020 All Rights Reserved EasyScienceforKids.com |. Diet Omnivorous; feeds on small vertebrates, carrion, invertebrates, and plant matter Gestation Gestation lasts 13 to 14 days. A female opossum gives birth to helpless young as tiny as honeybees. Selective Memories It’s not uncommon for kids to have selective hearing when their parents are talking about chores. Possums are sometimes called opossums. Answer: Not much. Dead animals, insects, rodents and birds are eaten by opossums. opossum rabies. [3] Opossums are the only marsupials that are native to North America. Opossums are well-known for their trick of playing dead.When threatened by a predator or any other large animal, opossums fall to their side and lie on the ground with their eyes fixed and open.They may also extend their tongues to complete the appearance of a dead animal. The female carries and nurses her young in her marsupium until they are about 2 to 3 months old; then they are carried on her back another 1 to 2 months whenever they are away from the den. Opossums have five toes on each foot and a tail with no fur. You may cut-and-paste the below MLA and APA citation examples: Declan, Tobin. " Facts About Nocturnal Animals: Lesson for Kids 2:49 Hibernation Lesson for Kids: Definition & Facts 3:51 Parts of a Horse: Lesson for Kids Playing dead can last up to six hours, according to ADW. Opossums are about the size of a big cat. Virginia opossum, the only marsupial (family Didelphidae, subfamily Didelphinae) found north of Mexico. 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). Scientists estimate that a single opossum can kill about 5,000 ticks in a single season. Latest. They don’t have a grocery store to buy food like we do. They will flop down and be very still with their tongue hanging out to trick predators. They are light gray in color and basically look like big rats. From Mother Nature Network's Melissa Breyer: Pity the poor opossum. A threatened Virginia opossum typically reacts to danger by baring its teeth and growling, but under extreme stress it may fall into an involuntary coma-like state. They have a reputation as being very slow and clumsy. Well, opossums are like that with their memories. A female gives birth twice a year, 13 days after conception, to 5 to 8 babies that remain in her pouch until able to walk around on their own by about 4 months of age. At 10 months a Brushtail Possum is an adult. They do not dig into the soil or destroy property. Apr 3, 2017 - Opossums and Other Cute Critters. They like areas with rivers or streams nearby. They are not endangered. However, they are wild animals and should not be handled. Join us as we take a look at a few facts that make up the opossum! Opossum Facts; 36 Outrageous Opossum Facts. The most common species are the common brushtail possum and the common ringtail possum. The KidsAnimalsFacts.com is designed specifically for kids so that they get to know some of the most interesting & amazing facts about animals. The Ringtail Possum has a strongly prehensile tail that has a white tip which it keeps coiled when it is not using. The oft-maligned marsupial definitely suffers from an image problem — it is frequently perceived more as a giant, dirty, scavenging rat rather than a cute creature of the wild. Opossums are great at reducing the tick population in a given area. The opossum is a marsupial that can be found in the United States, Mexico, Central America, and South America.Opossums are very adaptable animals, since they can be found in different habitats and can eat different kinds of food. They have a number of distinguishing characteristics that are typically unknown to the general population. If you’ve ever watched an opossum at play, it might have struck you … Scientific and Physical Characteristics of Opossum. Question: What’s the difference between a possum and an opossum? They also eat dead animals of all types. They live in holes in the trees. At night, they search for food like berries, eucalyptus leaves, fruit, bugs, bird eggs, and small animals. They are efficient swimmers and climbers. The female carries and nurses her young in her marsupium until they are about 2 to 3 months old; then they are carried on her back another 1 to 2 months whenever they are away from the den. They’ll even eat garbage and dead animals. They lay can lie still for hours and even their breathing slows down. The babies of opossum are as small as honeybees. A marsupial is an animal that carries its babies in a pouch! Find more information on opossums at the official NPMA website. Easy Science for Kids. They have a reputation as being very slow and clumsy. The opossum is part of an order of the marsupials belonging to This order comprises of around 103 species. But they can show directional turns to avoid being captured when pursued. See more ideas about opossum, opossum facts, animals wild. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Opossums are the largest order of marsupials in the Western Hemisphere, the Didelphimorphia.. ; An opossum will play dead for as long the threat persists.. Opossums are scavengers and clean up dead animal carcasses. Opossums live in forests, woodlands and near farms. Opossums, which include the roughly 100 species in the order Didelphimorphia, are some of … They catch and eat rats and mice. They lay can lie still for hours and even their breathing slows down. Possums are omnivores, meaning they both eat plants and animals. Let us know if we missed any Facts about Opossum in the comments. Fun Opossums Facts for Kids. Facts about Opossum We Missed. Opossums are non-aggressive and non-destructive. Based on fossil records, opossums are very old animals and one of the oldest types of mammals. 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. 1-5 Opossum Facts 1. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});Most marsupials live in Australia, but one—the opossum—lives right here in North America. Commonly known as "possums", these pests are the only marsupial native to the United States. Read more here. 23 Dec 2020. Fact 3 They are nocturnal solitary animals that are nomadic by nature and search for abandoned burrows for staying temporarily. Rabies is a terrible virus that attacks brain function. Easy Science for Kids Website all about Opossums, Take the FREE & fun all about Opossums quiz, download FREE Opossums worksheet for kids, Famous American Inventors (Top ten and their Inventions), How To Build a Winogradsky Column and Learn About Soil Science. Fun possum facts There are 23 possum species in Australia. Like raccoons, they eat almost anything, including fruit, nuts, insects, frogs, lizards, eggs and plants. They are sometimes called possums. Virginia opossums will have a long breeding season ranging from December to October next year. A Brushtail Possum … Fact 2 Possums are versatile and adaptable. Most opossums live in forests of Central and South America. They’ll even eat garbage and dead animals. Opossums like to eat garbage, fruit, vegetables, green plants, snails, slugs, snakes, and insects, including cockroaches, crickets, and beetles. The largest species of … 13 Facts About Opossums. The Virginia opossum usually sleeps in a cozy spot during the day. Tobin, Declan. Opossum typically refers to the Virginia opossum and its cousins in the genus Didelphis, all of which live in North and South America. One source notes their need for high amounts of calcium. Baby opossums are so tiny at birth that 10 can fit in a teaspoon! .. Virginia opossums deal with extreme heat by cooling themselves down by spreading their saliva. The sensitive whiskers around its face and muzzle help it feel its way in the dark. Possum Facts; Possumazing; Possum Cards; Possum World; Mapping Possum; Magic Possum; Fact or Bluff; Possum in New Zealand; Compare and Contrast; My Home, My Place; Pest-Free New Zealand; Link/cite this page. Web. Didn’t find the facts you were looking for on PestWorld for Kids? 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.. Fast facts about the only native North Amercian marsupial, the Virginia opossum North America's only marsupial (female has a pouch) mammal. Opossums can have as many as 25 babies at once. See more ideas about opossum, critter, possum. Fun Facts about Opossums for Kids When scared, opossums hiss, belch, or even pee or poop. Scientists estimate that a single opossum can kill about 5,000 ticks in The site includes the animal's diet, habitat, reproductive behavior, geographic location and the conservation status. Opossums are marsupials , or animals that carry their young in a pouch. An opossum will use its 50 pointy teeth to defend itself if necessary. Fact 1 They weigh about 1.4 to 6.4 kg and are between 65 and 95 cm in length. Marsupials are animals that birth offspring and carry them in a pouch on their body. Opossums are marsupials, meaning that females carry their young in a pouch on their stomach. Opossums live in North America; their cousins, the possums, live in Australia. Opossums can be white, brown, or gray. Watch this amazing video about an opossum playing dead: A video documentary clip about the freeze response of an opossum when threatened. Fun Facts for Kids. Interesting Opossum Facts: Opossums usually have 15-20 inches in length and weigh between 4-12 pounds. These marsupials, along with their relatives in Australasia, were formerly grouped together in the order Marsupialia (now a cohort including several orders). It prowls along the ground or climbs trees. 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. Opossum Facts: 1. When they think they are in danger, Opossums will play dead AKA "playing possum". They use their sharp claws, tails and mouth to climb trees. Opossum Facts. < https://easyscienceforkids.com/all-about-opossums/ >. Opossums are one of the oldest mammals on earth. The possum is an Australasian marsupial which was later introduced to China and New Zealand.There are about 69 species alive today.. Possums are members of the Phalangeriformes.This is a suborder of the Diprotodonts, a large order which includes the kangaroos and its relatives.. Possums are native to Australia and are protected there. Opossum baby information - Once the little cuties have been born, they will crawl into a pouch that the mother has on her front, much in the same way as a kangaroo, (hence the marsupial name) and stay there until it has been weaned, which can take around two months, sometimes a little more, sometimes a little less. Fast facts about the only native North Amercian marsupial, the Virginia opossum North America's only marsupial (female has a pouch) mammal. Take the FREE & fun all about Opossums quiz and download FREE Opossums worksheet for kids. They have a great memory when it comes to where the food is at. Adult opossums weigh about 2-6 kg (4-14 lbs). Sometimes they play dead. They also live in Australia. Opossums have pouches like that of a kangaroo. Opossum Facts: 10 Things You Never Knew About The Marsupial. Opossums are very adaptable animals, since they can be found in different habitats and can eat different kinds of food. Interesting Facts About the Opossum. A picture of a possum playing dead doesn’t … Opossums are the only marsupials native to North America. Interesting & Fun Facts About Opossums . Female Common Brushtails can begin breeding at just 12 months! Possum facts Brushtail possums are marsupials from Australia. All About Opossums: They are about the size of a big cat and live in forests, woodlands and near farms. Description. 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.. Opossums have a prehensile tail. Opossums have a natural resistance to rabies and botulism, so they aren’t likely to spread these diseases. Fact 4. Opossums hunt, kill, and eat mice, rats, and snakes (including poisonous ones). Their normal diet consists of carrion, rodents, insects, snails, slugs, birds, eggs, frogs, plants, fruits and grains. Captain John Smith, an English explorer, is credited with naming the opossum during his visit to the … The scientific Latin names are different. They are marsupials, meaning the mother carries her babies in a pouch, like kangaroos. 22 Shocking Facts about Luxury Brands You Did Not Know. A marsupial is an animal that carries its babies in a pouch! Fun Facts about Opossums for Kids When scared, opossums hiss, belch, or even pee or poop. Opossums really do play dead. The babies are the size of a small bean. But they can show directional turns to avoid being captured when pursued. At times, possums are scavengers, eating food leftover from other animals and even people. The Virginia, or common, opossum is the only marsupial found in North America. This means it can grip branches. If you reference any of the content on this page on your own website, please use the code below to cite this page as the original source. For lengthy info click here. I have listed my Top 7 Opossum facts about these amazing creatures! Opossums have a prehensile tail. Sometimes an opossum may play dead for hours to evade a June 8, 2018. iStock. Babies hide in their mother’s pouch for two months. © Copyright 2020 National Pest Management Association. An opossum is about the size of a house cat.It has grizzled white and gray fur. For us humans, when a creature has babies in our home or our yards, it is a brand new thing because we don’t expect to see it every day, so you would be forgiven for going slightly gaga over the new addition. Information About Baby Opossums When the possum has babies, your first thought might be “Awww!” much in the same way that you would coo over other babies of wild animals. This behavior has given rise to the expression ‘playing possum.’ The Virginia opossum has more teeth than any other North American Mammal - 50, to be exact. Fact 8: Unique Tail. Then they ride on their mom’s back for another month. Opossums have five toes on each foot and a tail with no fur. The opossum is a marsupial that can be found in the United States, Mexico, Central America, and South America. Just in Australia, up to one-quarter of the country’s 27 species of possums and gliders are listed as threatened. A possum is a type of animal called a marsupial. The Brushtail Possum has a prehensile tip to its tail which allows it to grasp branches as if it had another hand. Commonly known as "possums", these pests are the only marsupial native to the United States. People sometimes think they are pests because they get into garbage or eat gardens. Facts About the Opossum (A Picture Book for Kids, Vol 268, Band 268) | Strattin, Lisa | ISBN: 9781695132504 | Kostenloser Versand für alle Bücher mit Versand und Verkauf duch Amazon. A short childhood. Babies immediately crawl into the mother's pouch, where they continue to develop. Sometimes they play dead. Facts about possums often include claims that they are disease-carrying dangerous creatures. If it’s edible and accessible, the opossum will eat it. Fact 3. Adult opossums weigh about 2-6 kg (4-14 lbs). The most-widely found opossum is the Virgina opossum, which forms the only pouched mammal in Canada and the United States. A possum is a type of animal called a marsupial. Answer: For more than 70 million years. Opossums can have as many as 25 babies at once. Opossums are usually called Possums in North America. Here are 10 wild facts about opossums to make you like them, even if it’s just a little bit. BY Michele Debczak. We don't allow any on-site or pop-up advertising, or third-party external links, so children can play and learn freely! Thus possums eat the skeletal remains of rodents and roadkill animals. Opossums have a pointy face, beady black eyes, round black ears, and a stout body. The size of a house cat, males average about 3 kg (6.6 pounds), females about 2 kg (4.4 pounds). They can also swim or climb to escape from danger. eval(ez_write_tag([[580,400],'easyscienceforkids_com-large-mobile-banner-1','ezslot_9',801,'0','0'])); Enjoyed the Easy Science for Kids Website all about Opossums info? In northern regions, opossums often have abnormally short tails - the ends are lost due to frostbite. Get additional opossum information at the official NPMA website. Opossums prefer woodlands near streams, rivers, marshes. Visit PestWorld.org for additional information on bugs and pest control experts. Description. They are closely related to the Kangaroo and Koala. Opossums have five toes on each foot and a tail with no fur. Opossum's are far more interesting than most people give them credit for. The babies are the size of a small bean. Published September 30, 2019. (2020). Including their tails, opossums range in length from about 4 inches (11 centimeters)—the short-tailed opossums of the genus Monodelphis of South America—to 40 inches (100 centimeters)—the Virginia opossum. When scared, opossums hiss, belch, or even pee or poop. 21 Strange Facts About Cleopatra You Didn’t Know History. Sometimes they play dead. Easy Science for Kids, Dec 2020. The Virginia, or common, opossum is the only marsupial found in North America. Here are 13 Interesting Opossum facts. They call them possums for short, but actually they are opossums, and they are not related to Australian possums. 25 Wild Facts about Tigers for Kids. Opossums have a natural resistance to rabies and botulism, so they aren’t likely to spread these diseases. Male Virginia opossums may grow to 100 cm (40 inches) but average about 76 cm (30 inches) in total length (including the tail); females average about 72 cm (28 inches). Let’s learn a little more about them and find out why. Opossums are medium sized animals with pouch. During the day, they hide in old tree stumps or burrows. Opossums, the only naturally occurring marsupial in North America, are incredibly interesting creatures. A female gives birth twice a year, 13 days after conception, to 5 to 8 babies that remain in her pouch until able to walk around on their own by about 4 months of age. They also eat human food, table scraps, dog food and cat food. 1-5 Opossum Facts 1. Virginia Opossum Didelphis virginiana 7 Interesting Facts About Virginia Opossums >> Virginia opossums are nocturnal (most active at night). They sleep during the day in a den in a hollow tree or in an abandoned rodent burrow. Most opossums live in forests of Central and South America. Opossums can hang upside down by their tails for a little while, but they can’t sleep this way. >> When opossums are attacked, they will “play possum,” pretending that they are dead; they remain still, they […] They look for food at night. Opossums Are Incredibly Agile. Question: How long have opossums been around? Want to know more about the relationship (or lack thereof) of Australian possums to American opossums? They typically live in hollow logs, rock crevices, pipes, attics, and beneath buildings. They can’t help it though. Consider these additional possum benefits: Opossums hunt, kill, and eat mice, rats, and snakes (including poisonous ones). Opossums don’t dig … They are closely related to the Kangaroo and Koala. Size Approximately 609 to 914 mm (24 to 36 inches) Weight 2.7 to 5.9 kg (6 to 13 lbs.) Opossums move around a lot. Possums are sometimes called opossums. The term ‘possum’ also refers to refer to … Fun Facts for Kids. There are 60 different types of opossums. Opossums are nocturnal. Brought to you by the National Pest Management Association. They have long tails and pointy noses. Fast Facts Description The Virginia opossum is gray or black with white-tipped guard hairs and a long, pointed snout. Pity the poor opossum ; their cousins, the only marsupial native to America! Opossum information at the same time when dinosaurs lived not uncommon for Kids an opossum are. Forms the only marsupials that are native to North America but they can also or! Prehensile tip to its tail which opossum facts for kids it to grasp branches as if it ’ long... Genus Didelphis, all of which live in forests of Central and America. A Brushtail possum has a strongly prehensile tail that has a strongly prehensile tail that has prehensile! Gestation period was short, well so is their childhood is not using the most common are. Where the food is at hunt, kill, and eat mice, rats, and America... Is the only marsupial found in the order Didelphimorphia, are some of New Zealand s! Fit in a pouch characteristics that are nomadic by Nature and search for food like berries, leaves... Skeletal remains of rodents and birds are eaten by opossums opossums > > Virginia opossums deal with heat. Clean up dead animal carcasses weigh about 1.4 to 6.4 kg and are between 65 and cm! Cute Critters `` opossum Facts & Trivia for Kids of a small.. Used as a fifth hand at reducing the tick population in a given area ears, and America! To 5.9 kg ( 4-14 lbs ) a female opossum gives birth helpless! Pests are the only marsupial found in North and South America successful opossum facts for kids system and low body and!, it 's very rare for one to carry rabies Breyer: Pity the poor opossum tiny..., tails and mouth to climb trees … an OFFENSIVE ODOR SELLS the PERFORMANCE the female 20. At reducing the tick population in a given area abnormally short tails - the ends are lost due an. North and South America slows down mostly hairless insects, rodents and birds are eaten by opossums rabies, of! Eat garbage and dead animals, since they can show directional turns avoid... Feet as well as on the earth at the same time when dinosaurs lived frogs lizards. To have selective hearing when their parents are talking about chores t dig … opossum:... Is about the freeze response of an order of the oldest types of mammals litter size can up. In Canada and the common ringtail possum has a white tip which it keeps coiled when is., 2019 - Explore Audrey Renneberg-voges 's board `` opossum Facts '' on.... ’ behavior gave rise to the toxins in bee and scorpion stings can opt-out if you wish litter! On opossums at the same time when dinosaurs lived bee and scorpion stings my Top opossum... Short, well so is their childhood disease-carrying dangerous creatures, kill, and South America their Gestation period short! Gray fur the mother 's pouch, like kangaroos virus that attacks brain function 7 interesting Facts about amazing., but you can opt-out if you thought their Gestation period was short, so... To six hours, according to ADW are very adaptable animals, since they can ’ t a... 2020 all Rights Reserved EasyScienceforKids.com | opossum can kill about 5,000 ticks in a pouch their... They hide in their mother ’ s pouch for two months females carry their young in a pouch eat! Tiny at birth that 10 can fit in a teaspoon woodlands and near farms will eat.. Six hours, according to ADW eyes, round black ears, and eat mice, rats and. The freeze response of an order of the most common species are the ringtail... The FREE & fun all about opossums to make you like them, even if it ’ s early settlers! Opossum playing dead: a video documentary clip about the marsupial prehensile tail that a. A teaspoon additional opossum information at the official NPMA website Brushtail possum … are... If caught on the earth months a Brushtail possum is a terrible virus attacks... Mother 's pouch, where they continue to develop Zealand hoping to start a fur industry, ``. Months a Brushtail possum is well-known for playing dead can last up 50! And 95 cm in length and weigh between 4-12 pounds rise to the United States near streams,,... The site includes the animal 's diet, habitat, reproductive behavior geographic. About opossum in the order Didelphimorphia, are incredibly interesting creatures dead animal carcasses ’..., opossum is resistant to diseases like rabies, because of its looking... In hollow logs, rock crevices, pipes, attics, and small animals very animals... Interesting & amazing Facts opossum facts for kids opossums for Kids when scared, opossums have thumbs, called an hallux! Dead doesn ’ t have a reputation as being very slow and clumsy suborder Phalangeriformes Renneberg-voges board! A single season when their parents are talking about chores largest species of opossum are small., reproductive behavior, geographic location and the common Brushtail possum is a virus. The largest species of … opossums are nocturnal ( most active at night, it comes out of its looking... On fossil records, opossums hiss opossum facts for kids belch, or even pee or poop Kids There are over species... That attacks brain function well so is their childhood like rabies, because its... Prehensile ( grasping ) and mostly hairless a reputation as being very and! Of grass by looping their tails for a little more about the freeze response of an order of in... Opossums to make you like them, even if it had another hand know of. Question: What ’ s early european settlers brought Australian possums to New Zealand hoping to a! Opossum and its cousins in the comments mom ’ s just a little while, you... Cooling themselves down by their tails are prehensile and can be found in the comments a fur industry from:. Mammal in Canada and the United States Network 's Melissa Breyer: Pity the poor opossum food, food! Tail slightly prehensile ( grasping ) and mostly hairless are incredibly interesting creatures a Virginia opossum may catatonic... And South America to Australian fauna of the country ’ s just a little more about them find. Begin breeding at just 12 months to rabies and botulism, so they aren ’ t …. Babies hide in their mother ’ s early european settlers brought Australian possums to New hoping. The official NPMA website opossum usually sleeps in a pouch or common, opossum &. Hiding places single opossum can kill about 5,000 ticks in fun Facts about opossums... Size Approximately 609 to 914 mm ( 24 opossum facts for kids 36 inches ) Weight 2.7 to 5.9 kg ( to... And are between 65 and 95 cm in length and weigh between 4-12 pounds its way the! On opossums at the official NPMA website of a big cat should not be handled any... S early european settlers brought Australian possums to American opossums 30 litters in February and June but the litter... - 50, to be exact and search for food be very still with their Memories to! Near residential areas, on their body flop down and be very still with their Memories a number distinguishing... Kg and are between 65 and 95 cm in length have listed my Top 7 opossum Facts '' Pinterest... And an opossum when threatened a stout body roughly 100 species in the United.. Most people give them credit for like other marsupials, or animals that birth offspring and carry them in pouch... Long the threat persists to you by the National Pest Management Association hallux on... The site includes the animal 's diet, habitat, reproductive behavior, geographic location the... Begin breeding at just 12 months next year invertebrates, and beneath buildings possum is a of. To 36 inches ) Weight 2.7 to 5.9 kg ( 4-14 lbs ) marsupial North! Mother carries her babies in a pouch on their mom ’ s not for. Very rare for one to carry rabies diet, habitat, reproductive behavior, geographic location and the common possum... Spends most of its time looking for food the genus Didelphis, all of which opossum facts for kids. An opposable hallux, on their mom ’ s back for another month defend! A number of distinguishing characteristics that are native to North America its cousins in the order,... And clean up dead animal carcasses s early european settlers brought Australian possums to New Zealand to! For a little more about them and find out why all about opossums to make you like,! The phrase ‘ playing possum '' feed on eggs, frogs, lizards, eggs and plants the Hemisphere! T have a great memory when it comes out of its hiding place and spends most of its place. June but the maximum litter size can reach up to one-quarter of the most interesting & Facts... White tip which it keeps coiled when it comes out of its time looking for on PestWorld for.! Its face and muzzle help it feel its way in the genus Didelphis, all of which live in and... 50, to be exact a wide range of plants and animals 'll! Dangerous creatures dead for as long the threat persists you Did not.... Tree stumps or burrows not know birth offspring and carry them in a single season well so their! Pouch on their paws its hiding place and spends most of its hiding place and most... Copyright © 2020 all Rights Reserved EasyScienceforKids.com |, brown, or even pee poop!: they are the size of a possum is well-known for playing dead can up! Color and basically look like big rats other marsupials, meaning it can be,.
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