This week’s column is about the Virginia opossum, commonly known as the North American opossum.

INTRODUCTION

As described by various publications, the American opossum is the ONLY marsupial (pouched mammals) found north of Mexico. In the United States, the animal is sometimes referred to simply as a ‘possum.  The word opossum reportedly comes from the Algonquian word ‘wapathemwa,’ meaning “white animal.”  A solitary and nocturnal animal, it is about the size of a domestic cat.  They are very territorial. They do not hibernate, but during very cold weather may hole up for several days at a time, risking frostbite on its naked ears and tail to seek food when hunger strikes.  It is a successful opportunist and is familiar to many North Americans as they frequently inhabit settled areas due to the associated proximity to food sources, and their trash cans.

STORY BEHIND PHOTO OF THE WEEK

Friday, Feb. 26th, I departed my house about 2 p.m. with the sole purpose of going to Hackettstown and going through the car wash. Arrived at the car wash and the line was way too long. OK, guess I’ll chalk this off as a wasted trip!! I’m approaching home, heading down Youngs Island Road, when I pull up on this opossum walking down the middle of the road! Took a video of him through the windshield as he sauntered down the center of the road, finally moving over to the shoulder.  Drove by him slowly and then got out to take a couple of photos!  Got back in my SUV and pulled forward, hoping he would climb the snow bank along the road and go into the woods, then backed up and took a few photos of him foraging through the snow in the woods. 

Now that I am thinking about this, actually, guess it was a very good trip! If I hadn’t gone, I would have never come across this Virginia opossum, and I do not have a lot of photos on file of opossums! Guess I also found my Photo of the Week article.

INTERESTING FACTS GLEANED FROM VARIOUS SOURCES

Original home: Opossums can first be traced back to South America.

Defensive behavior: When threatened, an individual may roll over, shut its eyes and allow its tongue to droop and hang lazily, feigning death or “playing possum” for some time.  More often, it tries to bluff its attacker by hissing, screeching, salivating, clicking, and opening its mouth to show all of its 50 teeth, sometimes excreting a greenish substance.

Teeth: Opossums have 50 teeth, more than any other North American land mammal.  No other mammal in North America has more than 6 upper incisors, the Virginia opossum has 10.

Disease resistance: Rabies in opossums is rare. They have a strong immune system and their body temperature is much lower than regular mammals, so they are not good rabies hosts. 

Tails: The tail of the Opossum may be used as a grip, carrying bundles of leaves and bedding materials to the den. It also aids in climbing.

Mother-pup relationship: Mother opossums will never leave her young (pups); she will carry them on her back for about 100 days while searching for food.  When not on her back or hanging onto her tail, mother and the pups keep in touch by bird-like sounds of clicks and lip smacking.

Dangers they face: Automobiles are the main cause of death and they are also hunted by man in southern states.  Birds of prey, owls, coyotes, domestic dogs, red fox, raccoons, bobcats and large snakes are also their natural predators.

Cleanliness: They use tongue and paws to groom frequently and thoroughly, just like house cats.  They lack sweat glands, so cleaning helps cool them.  They are usually odorless unless provoked, when they can produce a very unpleasant odor!

Intelligence: Opossums have many adaptations that make them successful survivors in diverse environments and conditions. For one, they have opposable digits that act like thumbs.  They also have impressive memories when it comes to food, better than rats or dogs.  They can also recall the smell of toxic substances up to a year after trying them.  They have discovered the benefits of living side-by-side with humans very fast, so they sometimes lodge in barns, sheds or under houses!

Lifespan: Opossums have a short life span in the wild, typically no more than two years.

Gestation: Mother Nature is really quite amazing, especially when comparing the vast differences in how animals live and survive EVEN IF they live in the same areas!  Remember last week’s Porcupine?

The porcupine gestation period is seven months, the longest of the rodents and then only ONE baby!! Opossums’ gestation period is 12-13 days with up to TWENTY babies! (Also keep in mind both of these animals are the sole representatives of their respective families in North America!)

For additional photos and videos please visit my Flickr site!

Enjoy Your Open Space

Charlie Fineran

Charlie Fineran is Allamuchy’s Director of Open Space, Allamuchy Township Environmental Commission Chairman and Allamuchy Historical Society President.