Opossums have changed very little since the time of the dinosaurs.
Jacks, Jills and Joeys
Male opossums are called Jacks, females and Jills, and young opossums are called Joeys (like young
kangaroos).
Playing dead
If necessary, opossums can “play dead” to discourage predators from eating them. They “faint,” bear their teeth, drool, and omit a foul odor from their anal glands. They are able to do this for 40 minutes to 4 hours.
Opossum characteristics
· Opossums weigh on average 10 pounds. About the same size of a house cat.
· Opossums range in length from 21 to 35 inches long, from nose to the tip of their tail.
· Opossums only live from 2-4 years of age.
· Opossums are the only marsupials in North America. They give birth to 8-20 young in each litter. Young are “born”after only a 2 week gestation period and then move to the pouch for 8 weeks.
· Opossums travel on their mother’s back for 4 weeks after leaving the
pouch, before they are fully independent.
. Once oppossums reach maturity, about 4 months old, they typically live on their own, rather than in family groups.
. Opossums are nocturnal, however, their eyesight is poor. They have an abundance of whiskers and an excellent sense of smell.
· It is very difficult for opossums to carry the rabies virus because their body temperature causes them
to be an unsuitable host.