opossums little hiders

OPOSSU

MS LIT

TLE HIDER

S

P O W E R PO I N

T

BY R

Y A N GE N O V E S E

OPOSSUMSOpossums scientific name is didelphis virginianaOpossums are marsupials too. Marsupials are animals that have pouches to carry food and babies

WHAT OPOSSUMS LOOK LIKEOpossums can reach to 20 inches long and can weigh up to 12-14 poundsThey are mostly grayish colored with a

white pointed face a pink nose and even hairlles long round ears

They can also be a strong white color with a pinkish nose and ears

MORE OF WHAT OPOSSUMS LOOK LIKE• did you know that opossums have thumbs were their back

feet• They have a tail like a rat too• They also have a very strong tail so they can hang upside

down like a bat

LIFE SPANOpossums can live up to at least 7 years in the wild

They are not at all an endangered species

HABITAT• Opossums are only found from southern Canada through the

U.S. Into Mexico and central America(and spreading)• They also live around streams and near farms

CLIMATE• Opossums live in grassy and rain forest areas• Some live in cold weather and more are moving• They have to learn how to survive well

FOOD• Opossums are omnivores and they will eat almost anything• They will eat fruits, plants, nuts, insects, rodents and even

dead animals• Opossums have an amazing science of smell so they can find

their food

PREY• Opossums are eaten by owls,

foxes, bobcats, and lots of other animals

• They eat insects worms and plants

• During the spring they eat bird eggs, baby birds, frogs, lizards, snakes, and small rabbits

BEHAVIOR• Opossums love to have fun and swing from trees on their

tails• They also love to climb trees• Sometimes they get very crazy and out of control

BABIES• Opossums babies are called joeys• Joeys are five inches tall• Joeys are not fully developed when they are born• They must stay in their mothers pouch to survive

PHYSICAL ADAPTIONS• Opossums have very strong and soft fur to help them keep

warm during the winter• Opossums are also marsupials and they have pouches to

carry babies• Opossums are also built so they can duck under bushes and

shrubs

BEHAVIORAL ADAPTIONS• Opossums have a tail to swing around and hang upside

down so predators can not catch it• Opossums also have feet were their hands are and hands

were their feet are so it is easier to climb trees• They have amazing claws so they can dig their claws into a

tree for a great grip

PHYSIOLOGICAL ADAPTIONS• Opossums have a great sense of smell so they can find their

food• Did you know opossums have a very smelly liquid that

comes out of them if they get bothered• Opossums don’t breath as well if they don’t eat and that is

why they eat almost anything

FUN FACTS• Opossums lived during the

dinosaurs• Opossums also have

whiskers that help them figure out if they can fit in a surface if their whiskers cant fit they know they cant

• They also have an extra thumb

• Did you know opossums play dead to

escape predators