Oh, Possum. This was my first encounter with a Virginia opossum. Although it is not as noticeable as that of the kangaroo, it is certainly very important. The rapidly growing joeys will stay with their mother for about 100 days. Common opossum foods include: This water opossum, or yapok, is eating a fish. 302 lessons. The story goes that the name opossum was first used in western culture by Captain John Smith in 1608. Opossums have very long tails. Possums After some time, its certainly possible for an opossum to convert into a pet. Its reasonable to expect that youd need to place them into a cage for much of their life. The catatonic state can last for up to four hours, and has proven effective as a deterrent to predators looking for a hot meal. It helps carry sticks and leaves to make a nest, and also wraps around tree limbs to help with balance. In captivity, the oldest recorded opossum was four years and five months old. If you are going to have a pet opossum, then you will need to find a veterinarian in your area that has experience with not only exotic animals but with opossums specifically. There are other adaptations to the opossum. The oldest reported opossum in captivity was four years and five months old. The Virginia opossum, also called the North American or common opossum, is the only Didelphis species found north of Mexico. Baby opossums are known as joeys. Opossums are classified in the following way: It is interesting to note that while the order Didelphimorphia has only one family, there are more than sixty species within that family. However, in Australia, possum refers to an altogether different animal. The male, called a jack, does not stick around to help the female raise the joeys. In the wild, opossums are mostly solitary animals, but in captivity, they do well in pairs or small groups.Opossums are omnivores, which means they eat . https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PuOj6rMAJOQVideo cant be loaded because JavaScript is disabled: Do OPOSSUMS make good PETS? Snakes The opossum is a mammal, but it is unusual. Praying Mantis Opossums have also adapted well to urban living. Dens in winterAlthough it is a furry animal, its fur doesnt provide much insulation in the cold weather. Its legal to own a pet opossum as long as you have the appropriate regional permits to do so. Melissa Bialowas has taught preschool through high school for over 20 years. Because of this, you will want to have some type of outdoor enclosure. An opossum certainly . But in captivity, opossums can live up to 8 years old!The opossum is a nocturnal animal, meaning it sleeps during the day and is active at night. The average lifespan of the opossum is one to two years. They dont prefer to live in deeper parts of the forest. This state of catatonia can last from a few minutes to four hours. The female generally gives birth to a litter of 6 to 9 young, after a gestation period of 12 to 14 days after mating. In the regions where it is legal to own an opossum, there are still a few challenges. This almost guarantees that an opossum will quickly pass on its genetic material at a low cost. It can be scary for most people when they find this animal in their yard. . All rights reserved. Flexible in habit, this opossum ranges from southern Canada, and south into Nicaragua and Honduras. The gray area shows the range of the Virginia opossum in 2010. An opossum is finally an adult once it leaves the pouch and is ready to live without its mom. In captivity, North American Opossums can live up to 10 years. Their most formidable threat may be humans who hunt and trap them. Basically, their survival instinct sucks! While they are small and easy to care for, they are naturally created to be out in the wilderness. WATCH: Sharks biting alligators, the most epic lion battles, and MUCH more. They roll over, become stiff, close their eyes (or stare off into space) and bare their teeth as saliva foams around the mouth and exude a foul-smelling fluid. Learn more about us & read our affiliate disclosure. Lifespan Tree nests in forestsOpossums are pretty at home in the forest. This information sheet reviews natural history, conservation status, and taxonomy, as well as a number of clinically relevant information including (but not limited to) diet, housing, behavior, normal physiologic data and . The tone of the hair can vary between gray, brown, black, and white. When she's not writing she loves traveling, perusing used book stores, and hanging out with her other half. The most significant risk to the life of an opossum is humans. However, the life span varies for those who reside in the wild from those held captive. Grasses, nuts and fruit also make a great meal for the opossum. Opossums give birth to typically 7 or 8 babies, or joeys, but can have up to 20 at one time. In captivity, their lifespan increases, but only by a small amount. The main reason the wild opossum lives a short life is because of predation and external intervention. However, you can hear different kinds of sounds the opossum makes, including rumbling, growling, hissing, and screeching. They may have become infected with something, or have come under attack from bigger predators. The tail does not have any bones inside or hair on the outside. Many newborns dont make the journey into the pouch; fewer than half typically survive. Everything you need to know about the opossumThe opossum is one of the oldest mammals in the world; Scientists have found fossilsof this species dating back 65 million years, the time when dinosaurs became extinct. It has oddly shaped wide feet and five toes. This makes their diet varied, and they are considered omnivores. Females keep tabs on their youngsters through a series of clicks, lip-smacking, and bird-like sounds. Opossums even birth larger litters to increase survival chances. The porbeagle is one of the few sharks that jumps out of the water. Worse yet, sometimes the opossum will become lame as it grows, which is likely due to a diet-induced disorder called metabolic bone disease, or rickets. Dolphins (With Examples). In minutes or hours, the opossum will likely regain consciousness and escape quietly on its own. It is now known that they breed like other mammals, no sneezing needed. Because they are great diggers, you will also have to fortify your fencing. When they are born, the young are around 1 cm tall and weigh less than a gram. Its keeping your neighborhood clean! This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. In captivity, an opossum can live up to eight years. Opossums prefer to sleep alone. Opossums become dangerous with their ability to transmit diseases to pets and people. 6 What do possums eat and are they dangerous? It can only hold on by its prehensile tail for short periods of time, but its handy fifth hand is most useful in the trees. Playing dead helps opossums avoid vicious predators like wild canines or pet dogs and cats. Who Would Win They are still highly dependent on their mother. Walrus By six weeks old, the opossum develops whiskers and hair. They carry their offspring in a pouch, like a kangaroo.Are Opossums Dangerous?This is a frequently asked question, Are opossums dangerous? The answer is that they are not aggressive, but if they feel threatened, they can be dangerous. Opossums are roughly the size of a grain of rice when they are born. People sometimes refer to opossums as living fossils because they have been around for approximately seventy million years. Opossums don't generally have a lengthy life expectancy in the wilderness. The Virginia opossum is the only marsupial native to North America. The Virginia opossum, usually active by night, demonstrates terrestrial, arboreal, and aquatic locomotion. Find out in this article I wrote. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. When threatened, opossums run, growl, belch, hiss, urinate, and defecate. However, in the wild, opossums have a much lower life expectancy and do not commonly make it past their first year of life. Captive opossums live for about 4-5 years. When they forage for food rustling in tallgrass or shrubs, homeowners might hear the rustling sound. In a study done by Stanford University Medical Center, it was discovered that carnivores prey heavily on mainland opossums. They have a very good sense of smell to find food at night, since they are nocturnal. The opossum is found in North America, South America, Australia, and Oceania. The opossum is one of the most popular marsupials in the world. Even venomous snakes are on the menu! Wendy has taught high school Biology and has a master's degree in education. Baby opossums can use their tails to hang from tree branches temporarily, but adults are typically too heavy to do this. The possum can also eat highly toxic leaves. While opossums are commonly referred to as "possums," true possums belong to a separate order of marsupials, native to Australia and New Guinea. By having your opossum inside most of the time, it would be very challenging for your opossum to receive an appropriate amount of exercise. An opossum in captivity can live longer. Opossums start life small, often the size of honeybees, and grow to the size of a cat. Opossums have some very distinct characteristics. Learn all about the opossum. Pig Out and Tidy Up. Opossums that may have been startled, injured, or entered a catatonic state may be perceived as mortally harmed. Im Not a Pet. This can be a little bit costly. Will they bite or scratch? One of the most obvious adaptations of the opossum is its pouch. The most common species is the Virginia opossum, though it is certainly not limited to that state. Opossums would likely fall into this category because they are not common household pets. Once youve seen one, youll never mistake it for anything else. By clicking Accept All, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. Though opossums can live up to four years in captivity, in the wild, they usually only live a year or less. This scenario could cause a lot of stressful problems for opossum pet owners. In the United States, every state has different laws or permit requirements for exotic animals, and wild animals ownership. The ring-tail opossums, like gliders, are less vocal and produce the soft call. They also have some unique adaptive behaviors, including the well-known "playing possum.". Several identifying factors can help you determine an opossums age, such as their eyes, weight, and tail length. The honeybee-sized joeys promptly crawl into the mother's pouch to continue developing. They are also resistant to rabies. Their print will be around two inches in diameter. This lifespan was observed in a possum living in captivity, such as in a zoo or wildlife rehabilitation center. That is the Virginia opossum. I would definitely recommend Study.com to my colleagues. In captivity, the oldest recorded opossum was four years and five months old. Camel It is common to see death caused by starvation and exposure to the elements, particularly in winter. Cleaning up carrion (dead stuff) has earned them the title, "Natures Little Sanitation Engineer.". She specializes in math, science, gifted and talented, and special education. When threatened or harmed by dogs, foxes, bobcats, or other predators, opossums may "play possum," appearing to be sick or dead. They have five toes on each foot and walk on all four. However, in the wild, opossums have a much lower life expectancy and do not commonly make it past their first year of life. Its illegal to keep them without a wildlife rehabilitation permit, though, and once theyre old enough to survive on their own, healthy possums can, and should, be released. In the wild, possums typically live for two to four years, while those in captivity can live for up to six or seven years or longer. - Mass, Density & Weight, Working Scholars Bringing Tuition-Free College to the Community. It drops to the ground, tongue protruding, body completely unresponsive. The opossum is an avid foodie who will eat anything and everything it finds, as you may have noticed by seeing one digging through your garbage can. They generally live for about 2 4 years. An opossum playing dead can be very convincing and effective in evading predators. Opossum Lifespan: How Long Do Opossums Live. During the estrus season, female opossums will accept a male just once. The opossum is vulnerable to snow, so it holes up during extremely cold spells. Thus hundreds of possum females diecarrying puppies in their pouches. Its also important to offer an opossum an appropriate balanced diet regularly to avoid other types of health problems. However, since the lifespan of each opossum varies, it is difficult to determine whether male or female opossums live longer. All other trademarks and copyrights are the property of their respective owners. People often find them in backyards, crossing the neighborhood street, or even in the garage. Compared to any other mammal, opossums kill and eat significantly more ticks. They have no visible eyes or ears. Yes. This can make well-meaning humans feel compelled to put them out of their misery unnecessarily. However, they no longer need their mothers body heat to survive, and they are beginning to gain independence. Endangered This will likely not bode well for the opossum. You may see the drag marks in their tracks because their long tail often drags behind them. Butterfly It is also important not to overfeed your opossum. Its fur is more or less dark gray all over its body, except for the face and the throat, which are white in color, and its pink nose. As soon as they are born, they cling to their mother's udder, where they will be breastfed for about 70 days, after which they are weaned and become independent. The infants continue to develop inside the pouch. Stay Away! This helps them survive in many different environments and climates. The oldest opossum ever captured in the wild was only three years old. However, that does not seem to keep them alive much longer. Youll be surprised by the facts you find out, including just how long the opossum lifespan actually is! This means that even if they eat the remains of an animal with rabies, they don't get sick themselves and don't pass the illness along. This behavior often scares away the threatening predator, leaving the opossum unharmed when it eventually comes around. It is very strong and can support the weight of an opossum, as it is used as an extra limb when climbing trees. Virginia opossum Lifespan, ageing, and relevant traits Maximum longevity 6.6 years (captivity) . As mentioned previously, a large number of opossums don't even survive their first year of life. Seeking food takes up much of its time. The lifespan of the opossum varies depending on where the opossum lives and the number of nearby predators. I also recommend feeding them small dead rodents that you can also purchase from a full prey model supplier. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Video. The longest an opossum usually lives in the wilderness is about four years. Unlike other wild animals, they do not have the potential to carry diseases like rabies. Monarch Butterfly While females can go unnoticed, the male stands out and gets eaten by predators. They are virtually immune to the venom of rattlesnakes, cottonmouths, and other pit vipers. This particular fauna intrigued European explorers. If one of the young becomes separated from its mother it will make sneezing sounds to call her. Even if your pet opossum gets a lot of exercise, it should be kept on a strict diet regimen. Additionally, they are prone to a variety of parasites, leading to illness, disease, and most often death. However, unlike American opossums, Australian possums have fairly longer lifespans. Do you want to learn more about this species that so many of us have unfairly judged? The majority are killed by predators and in road kills. The opossums conservation status is classified as stable, but they are often subjected to unnecessary mortality. orangutan The male opossum detects a female in heat while foraging at night. For an opossum, this is typically known as playing possum. Playing possum is a colloquialism for the opossums involuntary reaction to playing dead when they feel threatened. Check to see if the opossums eyes have opened. Trying to transform a possum into a pet can be expensive and heartbreaking. Now that we have a better understanding of this tick-hungry marsupial, lets learn all about the opossum lifespan. The possum can live 2 to 3 years in the wild and up to 6 years in captivity. In Massachusetts for instance, any wild or exotic animal that is not on their exotic animal list or domestic list, can not be owned as pets, including Opossums. The only species in North America and Canada is the Virginia opossum, sometimes called the common opossum. If you notice a baby opossum is by themselves, they are likely in their teen years (or in this case, months). (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PuOj6rMAJOQ), 14 Small Types of Turtles (That Make Good Pets). It seems that biologically after the animal has completed their breeding lifespan of roughly two years, their bodies just give up from there. Assorted Animals is a website that offers animal learning modules, articles, and videos. The opossum is found in North America, South America, Australia, and Oceania. The oldest opossum captured in the wild was only three years old. Coyotes can also pose a risk during the summer in more temperate parts of the opossum range, such as the south. To unlock this lesson you must be a Study.com Member. But opossums may use parts of your house to build a place to nest.Are Opossums Dangerous To Humans?This wild animal is referred to as the possum in the Midwest and the southern United States of America. Volia Schubiger is a freelance copywriter and content editor with a passion and expertise in content creation, branding, and marketing. Opossums are small- to medium-sized, pouched (most of them) mammals, with pointed snouts and nearly hairless, prehensile tails. But theyre not rodents even though they look similar in many ways. They change their dens location very frequently even after a few days to avoid predators. Though these creatures may seem strange to some of us even now, imagine how explorers from Europe felt when they first encountered the opossum. Opossums tend to live in the eastern half of the U.S., plus the west coast and desert southwest. Create an account to start this course today. Although the word play suggests a conscious act, this catatonic defense mechanism is actually a completely involuntary and automatic physiological response to danger. They are known for their adaptability and ability to thrive in a variety of environments. If all these questions ring a bell in your mind, read on to know more about this marsupial and whether they pose a threat.The American OpossumMost people assume that the American opossum is a type of large rat due to its furry appearance. Finally, competition for food and resources can also play a role in the short lifespan of possums. Measuring about 2.5 feet in length, it is about the size of a house cat. This is almost three times the average lifespan of an opossum in the wild. Many countries require special licenses or permits to own an exotic pet. Opossum mothers have 13 nipples. . They are omnivores who easily adapt to different foods that are available in different climates and habitats. Opossums are carrion eaters, and often this includes roadkill. In the wild, opossums generally dont survive very long due to the number of predators out there. R stands for reproduction, and species such as opossums put only a small investment of resources into each offspring, producing lots of babies that dont need much time and effort. The temperature of the enclosure should be kept at 70 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. copyright 2003-2023 Study.com. Opossums generally have larger litters to increase the chances of survival while investing few resources into parenting. Their fresh droppings are brown in color. Opossums are willing to eat anything. Wild opossums have a relatively short lifespan of approximately 1.5-2 years. It could take some time for an opossum to become trustworthy and dependent on a human source for food and resources. They can also be found close by rivers, lakes, streams, or other water sources. (2004), The . During day to day activity, they are almost silent, so it isn't easy to detect them. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The mating season for opossums begins near the end of winter, in the time between January and February. So what makes them so fascinating? Once in the pouch, the young must attach to a nipple, or they do not survive. Ultimately, opossums have a wide array of predators, which they must contend with during winter and summer. Their personalities dont seem to help them much here either because opossums tend to be very friendly, curious, and social. The highly recognizable kangaroo is a likely answer. By predators I mean literally anything, dogs, cars, diseases, snakes, and coyotes. Opossums are handy to have in your yard. In some regions of the US, opossums are hunted for food. Light grey fur with a white face, dark eyes, a pointed snout and naked tail are a few distinguishing features of this animal. The captive specimens have a maximum life expectancy of about 4 years. The ones that are lucky enough to locate a teat will increase their chances of making it into adulthood.
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