Okay Readers, we’ve let you go a week pondering the burning question: Is it Opossum or Possum? Wait no longer!
As O’Brien County Naturalist Abbie Parker explained at her February visit to Sanborn Public Library, there is a difference between opossums and possums. While both are marsupials, they are different creatures. The Virginia Opossum is the only marsupial that calls North America home – they have a bare, scaly tail and will play possum.
There are several different types of possum species, many of them call Australia, New Zealand, New Guinea, and China home. According to Parker, they have a bushy tail, they do not play possum, and are more closely related to kangaroos and koalas.
The Naturalist shared that the Virginia Opossum is a nocturnal animal and so they have huge pupils to see better at night. The only time you will likely see the whites of their eyes is when they are excited or scared. They have a great sense of smell as well and a good memory to help them remember the location of food sources. Parker also noted that their hairless tail is prehensile, which is like having an extra hand – it is good for grasping and carrying materials. She revealed that they do not use that tail to sleep upside down – they are too heavy for that! They have an opposable thumb, or hallux, on each back foot which assists them with climbing. If you take the time to count their teeth, you will find the total is 50.
Adult opossums are about the size of a domesticated cat. They also groom themselves like a cat. The male, or jack, is slightly larger then the female, or Jill. The Naturalist also discussed their young, which are called Joeys. Opossums have a very short gestation period of 12-13 days. When Joeys are born they are about the size of a grain of rice. The Jill will give birth to up to 25 babies, which then have to travel to the pouch (remember, they are marsupials) to find a teat. Only about 10-13 will survive. After about two months, the Joeys are too big for the pouch and will move to their mother’s back. From that perch they will learn important life skills which will serve them well as they strike out on their own at about 4-5 months of age.
According to Parker, the average lifespan of an opossum in the wild is 1-2 years. She said dogs, cats and people are their biggest predators. Opossums do have a natural immunity to the poison of rattlesnakes, cottonmouths and other pit vipers. This has allowed them to aid in anti-venom research.
Another interesting fact shared by the Naturalist is that playing possum is not a voluntary defense mechanism – it happens when they are very scared. It can take up to four hours for them to come out of this state.
March Winter Library Series
The third and final installment of the Winter Library Series will be presented Thursday, March 17 at 2:00 p.m. at Sanborn Public Library. The 45 minute program is entitled “Strange But True Facts About Nature.” Plants and animals have great adaptations to survive in the wild. Those attending the presentation will get a glimpse of some of the strange, wacky, and amazing behaviors or adaptations found in nature.
The Winter Library Series is great for all ages and there will be time for questions. The series is presented by the O’Brien County Conservation Board, in partnership with the area libraries.
And finally, just so you know: While opossum is the technical name, it can be pronounced without the first “o” in common use.