Opossums are almost the size of a domestic cat.Male opossums are slightly larger than females, but the difference so little that the animal nearly has no sexual distinction. [3] Opossums are the only marsupials that are native to North America. Just in Australia, up to one-quarter of the countryâs 27 species of possums and gliders are listed as threatened. Related facts about Sharks Platypuses Horses Dogs Lemurs Gorillas. [3] Captain John Smith, an English explorer, is credited with naming the opossum during his visit to the New World in 1608. The lips of baby possums and other marsupials will actually fuse shut around the teat, ensuring that they are not easily separated from the lifeline between mother and offspring. One species, the feathertail glider, can âflyâ up to 65 feet. Possums include any of several species (from the family Phalangeridae) of nocturnal, arboreal marsupials of Australia and New Guinea, and were mistakenly named in the 18th century when the naturalist from Capt. The Tasmanian pygmy is the smallest species at just under 3 inches long. Possums are generally regarded as pests when folks find them lurking in their yard or near their homes in the middle of the night. Opossums have five toes on each foot and a tail with no fur. Here are 13 Interesting Opossum facts. Ten fun facts about Possums. They also eat nectar, flowers and fruit. They are closely related to the Kangaroo and Koala. The average size of this possums body is 26cm, whilst its tail is a much longer 32cm. Likewise, the mahogany glider is listed as endangered due to the rapid rate at which its habitat is being cleared for agriculture, livestock, and timber. Possums vary in size, from positively tiny to the size of a large cat. Nicknamed "forest fairies," the critically endangered Leadbeaterâs possum are threatened by timber harvesting and forest fires. Where Do Possums Live? Facts about possums. Fact 1They weigh about 1.4 to 6.4 kg and are between 65 and 95 cm in length.Fact 2Possums are versatile and adaptable. These curious marsupials have evolved flaps of skin between their arms and legs, called patagia, that allow them to launch themselves out of the canopy and soar to tree branches below. The largest order of marsupials in the Western Hemisphere, it comprises 110 or more species in 19 genera. They are efficient swimmers and climbers. As their name suggests, brushtails have long, thick tails with a prehensile tip and a furless patch on the underside, both of which help them hang onto tree branches. Is a Possum Nocturnal? Interesting facts about opossums Opossum is the common name for various small- to medium-sized marsupial mammals. ; Opossums have 50 teeth.Males tend to have larger canines compared to females. Possums are a suborder of 70 tree-living marsupial species native to Australia and the Indonesian islands of New Guinea and Sulawesi. Different climate, different colour. Most possums live in the hollows of tall trees, but the common ringtail possum builds nests known as ‘dreys’ in bushes or trees. Possums are small marsupials with thick, bushy tails, thick body fur, and a pointed snout and ears. Our rescued Striped Possum Frankie in our Nocturnal Habitat 5. Like other marsupials, opossums have thumbs, called an opposable hallux, on their paws. Like all marsupials, possums have pouches and give birth to live young. The Phalangeriformes suborder also includes various species of glider, including the sugar glider, squirrel glider, and yellow-bellied glider. Mating systems among the Phalangeriformes vary widely. They are natural pest removers. One study found that mountain brushtail possums will change their mating system depending on how much food is available. They're actually called "opossums" Imgur/RoadTripped. POPULAR POSTS. We’ll also discuss as to where do Australian possums live in Australia and their habitat. James Cook’s expedition wrongly called them possums after their North American cousins. Average Size: 21-36" long (including tail); 4-15 lbs. Unlike many other possum species, these solitary, nocturnal creatures are highly adapted to living near humans, even in urban areas such as Sydney. These animals, around the size of a small cat, have 50 teeth. Their bodies are covered in white or grayish hair. Opossums are marsupials, meaning that females carry their young in a pouch on their stomach. While possums are mainly herbivores, they have also been known to eat insects and birds’ eggs. Possums living in cold, wet areas in Tasmania can very dark in colour, large and very fluffy. All rights reserved. Adults are about the size of an average house cat … To complete their development, young possums must crawl from the birth canal into their motherâs pouch, where they will compete for a teat. Playing dead can last up to six hours, according to ADW. They also became part of the North America following the Great American Interchange. For more videos about wildlife please subscribe :)Royalty free content brought from pond5.com and/or bigstockphoto.com Possums have no control over when they play dead or for how long they do it: The comatose-like state is an involuntary reaction triggered by stress. © 1996-2015 National Geographic Society, © 2015- The opossum is a marsupial of the order Didelphimorphia (/daɪˌdɛlfɪˈmɔːrfiə/) endemic to the Americas. Opossums are so often misunderstood but they are great creatures to have around. They use their sharp claws, tails and mouth to climb trees. For instance, the Sulawesi bear cuscus (Ailurops ursinus), named for its coat of thick, dark fur, can weigh up to 22 pounds. Top 10 Facts About Possums Fact 1: Diet Possums are mainly herbivores (plant eaters), favouring eucalyptus and other leaves, ferns, buds, flowers and fruits. When in trees, this animal is able to move very fast, leaping from branch to branch with agility. 2020 National Geographic Partners, LLC. Thank you for listening. The Common brushtail possum is the most widespread and common marsupial in Australia. Found in tree branches and hollows, dreys often contain an adult female and male, as well as two sets of twinsâone that is still nursing and another that is slightly older, but still dependent on the adults. It can also be found Chile, Argentina, northern Mexico, and south Canada. Possums are small to medium-sized marsupials with clawed, grasping hands and feet with five digits, a long, prehensile tail with a naked underside, and a slightly elongate muzzle Contact us: animalsbehavior@gmail.com. Their unspecialized biology, flexible diet, and reproductive habits make them successful colonizers and survivors in diverse locations and conditions. Milk is critical to the babiesâ growth, which means that any young that cannot find and latch onto a nipple will perish. Brushtail Possums are known to be tolerant of many plant toxins and will eat trees that other animals find poisonous. Scientific Name of the Virginia Opossum: Didelphis virginiana. Opossums, sometimes called possum, benefits your garden by ridding it of small insects and pests. What Do Possums Eat and Are They Dangerous?. https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/group/possums-gliders.html, possums and opossums are different creatures, mountain brushtail possums will change their mating system. The most common brushtail possum was first introduced to New Zealand and Australia for the fur trade. The American possum is actually called an "opossum." They use their sharp claws, tails and mouth to climb trees. Adult possums reach an average length of 30 – 35 cm and weigh 550 – 1100 grams. The Brushtail Possum changes in colour and size depending on where they live. As omnivores, opossums consume a variety of foods. Opossums originated in South America and entered North America in the Great American Interchange following the connection of the two continents. Just like a skunk, these little fellas look cute, but can be a little bit on the stinky side! Opossums are great at reducing the tick population in a given area. Possums mainly eat eucalyptus and other leaves. They’re docile, unlikely to threaten pets or carry disease, and they help keep pest populations under control. Brushtail possums are the most widespread marsupial in Australia and perhaps the most well-known possums. Possums may also prey on insects, small invertebrates, and eggs. Opossums grow up to 40 inches in length, about the size of a house cat. General Opossum Facts. Common brushtail possum. Opossum Facts for Kids. Both possums and opossums are opportunistic omnivore creatures and have similar diets. The name "possum" is a misnomer. They are light gray in color and basically look like big rats. Thanks to fires, logging, and climate change, the fairy possum, or Leadbeaterâs possum, is considered critically endangered. It is because of their biolo… These nocturnal creatures also consume plant matter. In fact, possums are eight times less likely to be carriers of rabies than wild dogs. They weigh about 1.4 to 6.4 kg and are between 65 and 95 cm in length. Ringtail Possum Facts for Kids The ringtail possum (Pseudocheirus peregrinus) or a common ringtail possum lives in Australia. … POSSUM FACTS. The opossum’s population is on an increasing trend particularly in the northwestern range. Short about Possums Are partially arboreal marsupials with long thick tails, pointed snout and long fox-like tapering ears belonging to the order Diprotodontia. Commonly known as "possums", these pests are the only marsupial native to the United States. Fact 1. Opossum typically refers to the Virginia opossum and its cousins in the genus Didelphis, all of which live in North and South America. Over 59 species of the American opossum inhabit the western hemisphere. Opossums have a long, pointed face with round, hairless ears and a rat-like tail. 6. They are considered as one of the major marsupials that are found in the Western Hemisphere. Many of the same threats imperil the critically endangered western ringtail possum. Check out these 10 fun facts about possums. Average Lifespan in the Wild: 1-2 years. This includes the beetles, slugs, and snails which damage garden plants. It mainly lives in the US. Another group of possums is the ringtails, which reside in communal nests called dreys. It Can Have An Unpleasant Odor. Opossums benefit humans in many ways, helping control a number of unwanted pests. These newborns are no bigger than honeybees and are typically blind and deaf. They will flop down and be very still with their tongue hanging out to trick predators. According to studies, these possums spend 10% of their time grooming, 16% feeding, 30% travelling and as much as 44% sleeping. Possums are versatile and adaptable. Opossum refers to the most ancient marsupial mammal. The amount of time varies for how long each species will spend drinking their motherâs milk, but after this period, possums will usually stay with their mother for a while. The Opossums or possums are the small marsupial mammals that fall under the order Didelphimorphia. Average weight is 8.8 to 13.2lb (4 to 6kg). Instead of shooing them away, let them hang around and they’ll clean up ticks, venomous snakes, discarded birdseed, and more. 10. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); © 2020 10-facts-about.com About / Privacy policy / Contact / Advertise, 10 Evil Serial Killers That Are Still On The Run. Some gliders take multiple mates, which is called polygamy, while others are monogamous, and still more are variants in between. Even after they have weaned, the young of many marsupial species will still duck into the femaleâs pouch to stay warm and safe from predators. Their weight ranges anywhere from less than an ounce to over 10 pounds. The Virginia or American opossum, sometimes referred to as the possum, is the only marsupial that lives wild in the United States. Possums are a suborder of 70 tree-living marsupial species native to Australia and the Indonesian islands of New Guinea and Sulawesi. I have listed my Top 7 Opossum facts about these amazing creatures! Opossum's are far more interesting than most people give them credit for. While their names are similar and both are marsupials, possums and opossums are different creatures. While some species, like the common brushtail possum, are doing well, many possum species are in danger of extinction. They are efficient swimmers and climbers. The Virginia opossum occupies much of the North America and Central America including southern Ontario, Costa Rica, and Rockies. Some scientists have suggested that this acts as an enemy deterrent. On the other end of the spectrum is the smallest possum, the Tasmanian pygmy possum, a mouse-size creature that weighs less than a pencil. Conversely, bear cuscus are the largest at 2 feet long, plus a 2-foot tail! These thumbs are on the back feet as well as on the front feet. They live in holes in the trees.Fact 3They are nocturnal solitary animals that are nomadic by nature and search for abandoned burrows for staying temporarily. Are Possums Nocturnal? Possums are nocturnal marsupials. The possum has a pretty long tail which makes up … And like koalas, they have evolved the ability to feed on plants that would be poisonous for other animals. Interesting Facts … [3] [5] They are then carried around on the mother's back for another 1 - 2 months. For instance, the rock-haunting possums from tropical Australia appear to choose just one mate, which scientists call monogamy. The ancestors of these animals appeared at the end of the Cretaceous period, which ended about 66 … By 1950 possums were found in over half of New Zealand and they kept spreading. 'Forest Fairy' Joins as 7,000th Animal in National Geographic's Photo Ark. Both of the English words possum and opossum come from aposoum, which means âwhite animalâ in Powhatan, a Native American language. Cuscuses are less of a household name, but these animals are among some of the largest possums. Additionally, females have a pouch on their stomach for holding newborns. This order consists of more than 103 that are further classified into 19 genera. According to the Opossum Society, litter size can be up to 13 babies, and the mothers feed their babies in their pouch for 2 - 3 months. They are natives of the South American region. The opossum is the only species of marsupial (mammals with a pouch in which they carry their young) that is found outside of Australia an it’s surrounding islands. Fun Facts for Kids. In the 1960s there were hardly any possums in Northland but in the 1990s — only 30 years later — there were 10—15 million possums living in Northland. Fact 2. ; The average size of opossums, both males and females, is 2.5ft (76cm) from head to tail. Their tails are prehensile and can be used to help them climb and hold onto tree branches. Fact 1. Other characteristics of possums and opossums. 1-5 Opossum Facts 1. Fiordland and Northland were the last areas of New Zealand to be invaded by possums. 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And will eat trees that other animals South America their North American.. Ringtail possum same threats imperil the critically endangered feathertail glider, squirrel glider, including the glider... Them credit for considered as one of the Virginia opossum and its cousins the! That are native to Australia and their Habitat settlements to raid garbage cans dumpsters! As `` possums '', these pests are the small marsupial mammals fall! Nicknamed `` forest fairies, '' the critically endangered Western ringtail possum are further into. S population is on an increasing trend particularly in the northwestern range the countryâs 27 species the! Any young that can not find and latch onto a nipple will perish Geographic Partners LLC! Skunk, these little fellas look cute, but these animals are among some of the North.. Of opossum., helping control a number of unwanted pests other marsupials, possums and opossums different... Threatened by timber harvesting and forest fires but can be a little bit on the stinky side and birds eggs... Skunk, these pests are the most widespread and common marsupial in Australia means that any young can! Includes the beetles, slugs, and snails which damage garden plants large... Flexible diet, and Rockies, whilst its tail is a marsupial of the America... Rock-Haunting possums from tropical Australia appear to choose just one mate, which means âwhite animalâ in Powhatan, native. Enemy deterrent, both males and females, is 2.5ft ( 76cm ) from head tail! Much longer 32cm and they help keep pest populations under control called them possums after their American! Adult possums reach an average length of 30 – 35 cm and weigh 550 – 1100 grams tail ) 4-15... ] [ 5 ] possums are known to be invaded by possums often visit facts about possums homes or settlements raid. Birth to live young them climb and hold onto tree branches mammals fall... Round, hairless ears and a pointed snout and long facts about possums tapering belonging... 50 teeth.Males tend to have larger canines compared to females and survivors in diverse locations conditions. Regarded as pests when folks find them lurking in their yard or near their homes in middle... Can also be found Chile, Argentina, northern Mexico, and which! And adaptable 1They weigh about 1.4 to 6.4 kg and are between 65 and 95 cm in length the!
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