Opossum facts

Opossums are the only marsupials native to North America.

Opossums have been around for over 70 million years.

Opossums have opposable thumbs on their hind feet.

Opossums are excellent climbers thanks to their strong tails.

Opossums have 50 teeth, more than any other mammal in North America.

Opossums play dead as a defense mechanism when threatened.

Opossums have a very low body temperature, which makes them resistant to many diseases.

Opossums can eat almost anything, including garbage and roadkill.

Opossums have a prehensile tail, which means they can use it to grab and hold onto things.

Opossums have a larger brain than most other small mammals.

Opossums have excellent hearing and sense of smell.

Opossums have a gestation period of only 12-13 days.

Opossums can give birth to up to 20 baby opossums at once.

Opossums have a natural immunity to snake venom.

Opossums are essential for controlling tick populations because they eat a large number of ticks.

Opossums have a lifespan of around 2-4 years in the wild.

Opossums have pouches where they carry their young, just like kangaroos.

Opossums can cross rivers and other bodies of water by swimming.

Opossums are usually nocturnal, meaning they are most active at night.

Opossums have a remarkable ability to regenerate damaged tissue, including large portions of their tail.

Opossums have a very fast metabolism, which helps them survive in harsh conditions.

Opossum facts part 2

Opossums have a unique immune system that allows them to fight off various diseases.

Opossums are known to eat venomous snakes, making them valuable for natural pest control.

Opossums have a black and white coloration, which helps them blend in with their surroundings.

Opossums have a prehensile tongue, which they use to gather food and groom themselves.

Opossums are excellent swimmers and can stay underwater for several minutes.

Opossums are omnivorous, meaning they eat both plants and animals.

Opossums have a natural instinct to play dead when they feel threatened.

Opossums are solitary animals and prefer to live alone.

Opossums have a high resistance to rabies.

Opossums have 13 nipples in their pouch, allowing them to nurse large litters.

Opossums have a very low basal metabolic rate, which helps them conserve energy.

Opossums have a keen sense of balance, allowing them to navigate through trees and branches with ease.

Opossums have a unique musky odor that helps them communicate with other opossums.

Opossums are not aggressive animals and prefer to avoid confrontation.

Opossums are excellent scavengers and help clean up the environment.

Opossums have a natural resistance to certain types of venomous spiders, such as black widows.

Opossums have a varied diet, including fruits, insects, small mammals, and even bird eggs.

Opossums have a thick, leathery skin that protects them from injury.

Opossums are immune to the venom of rattlesnakes.

Opossums have been found living in urban areas, adapting to human presence.

Opossums have a unique way of walking, known as plantigrade locomotion, where they place the whole foot on the ground.

Opossums have a high reproductive rate, with females being able to have multiple litters in a year.

Opossums have a keen sense of smell, which helps them locate food and navigate their environment.

Opossums are often considered living fossils due to their ancient lineage and relatively unchanged physical features over time.