The Grand Forks specimen marked a 137-mile northward range extension for the Virginia opossum, the only marsupial found in North America north of Mexico. The Opossum Society of the United States; Get News and Action Alerts. Range Opossums are found in the eastern United States and southeastern Canada, south through Central America. The species has expanded its range north and west during the past century. The Virginia opossum (Didelphis virginiana), commonly known as the North American opossum, is the only marsupial found north of Mexico. They naturally prefer deciduous wooded areas near water sources, but can also be found in farmlands or marshes. Though they aren't picky about where they hang out, opossums love trees and will stay aloft in trees as much as possible. Virginia opossums live in most parts of the United States that are east of the Rocky Mountains, and along the west coast from British Columbia in Canada and to Baja California. Male Virginia opossums may grow to 100 cm (40 inches) but average about 76 cm (30 inches) in total length (including the tail); females average about 72 cm (28 inches). Their colors are more diverse including black, chinchilla gray, and fox silver-gray and gold than those of opossums. They generally live around people in suburban and urban areas, foraging on a variety of foods as omnivores. ‘Possums’ have a pouch, so are marsupials just like kangaroos. They are not adept at digging, so they often utilize burrows that anothe… The fur is frequently darker on the legs and lighter on the back. It has been introduced in several western states. A group of opossums is called a passel. Virginia opossums (Didelphis virginiana) have a wide range throughout Central and North American, which continues to expand.Currently, Virginia opossums can be found from Costa Rica to southern Ontario, Canada. The Virginia opossum (Didelphis virginiana) is the single species found in the United States, but at least 103 species occur in the Western Hemisphere.The word "opossum" comes from the Powhatan or Algonquian name for the animal, which roughly translates as "white dog." Opossums originated in South America and entered North America in the Great American Interchange following the connection of the two continents. The size of a house cat, males average about 3 kg (6.6 pounds), females about 2 kg (4.4 pounds). 2 , 4, 5 , 11 , 18 , 22 , 24 , 29 Unlike most wild animals, the opossum flourishes in urban areas, and the presence of human settlements actually serves to increase the opossum’s habitat and population size. The opossum (order Didelphimorphia) is the only marsupial found in the Americas. They have become very common in urban, suburban and farming areas. Thanks to their whole acting-and-smelling-like-a-corpse … Opossums inhabit a wide range, from sea level to elevations over 10,000 feet. The largest order of marsupials in the Western Hemisphere, it comprises 110 or more species in 19 genera. They are very secretive, slow, and solitary. The home range of an opossum is about 50 acres. One study provided a home range of approximately 11.5 acres but that is only an estimation. In comparison to other opossums, it is rather cute, with a thick coat of fur, gray in color with extensive reddish or … Opossums were once uncommon in northern portions of the United States. Managing Opossum Problems The opossum (Didelphis virginiana) is a house cat sized mammal (4 -14 Ibs.) Opossum World is a unique, possum themed educational attraction located in Napier, New Zealand. The opossum is a marsupial of the order Didelphimorphia (/daɪˌdɛlfɪˈmɔːrfiə/) endemic to the Americas. Its face is long and pointed with dark, rounded, paper-thin, hairless ears. Opossums are omnivores who prefer to set up camp near readily available food sources. Thank you for signing up for text alerts! The Grand Forks specimen marked a 137-mile northward range extension for the Virginia opossum, the only marsupial found in North America north of Mexico. Opossums are related to kangaroos and other marsupials found in Australia. One should never handle dead wildlife directly. The flea has expanded its range to dogs, opossums, rats, mice and other animals. The name was adapted from the Native American Algonquin term ‘apasum’, which mean white animal. range due to the excessive movement of opossums. Reply STOP to opt out. Males are usually larger than females. It is also found in Mexico and Central America. In the United States the Virginia opossum is found east of the Rocky Mountains and in Canada in southwestern Ontario. They are excellent climbers, and they wrap their long prehensile tails around tree limbs for balance. The cat flea rarely exchanges hosts, so it stays on the animal until the host’s death. Message and data rates may apply. Prior to European settlement of North America, the opossum was found only in Central America and the southeastern United States. Opossum World features a vast range of New Zealand manufactured Possum and Merino fashion knitwear available for purchase online. Opossums range in size from 24 and 33 inches long and typically weigh between 6 and 15 pounds. The opossum has a narrow, tapered head with a pointed muzzle, pink nose, black eyes and bluish-black ears that lack hair and look leathery. It was Captain John Smith who used the term opossum for the first time in 1608. The Virginia or American opossum, sometimes referred to as the possum, is the only marsupial that lives wild in the United States. Their fur ranges in color from snow white to jet black, and their tail is nearly hairless and rat-like. One study showed that one in every four dens in the range was occupied by the opossum. Email address. These animals, around the size of a small cat, have 50 teeth. The length of possums ranges from the length of a human finger to four feet, while their weight ranges from six ounces to 32 pounds. Total length ranges from 24 to 33 inches. Their unspecialized biology, flexible diet, and reproductive habits make them successful colonizers and survivors in diverse locations and conditions. The only native marsupial (mammals with pouches) in North America, opossums are the size of a large house cat. They also prefer areas that are wet, like marshes, swamps and streams. First name. During the 1900s, its range expanded northward and westward. The opossum is common in wooded areas throughout Pennsylvania. The opossum’s home ranges are more often a longer course rather than a circle shaped course (McManus 1974). Today the Virginia opossum’s range covers Central America from Costa Rica to Mexico and several parts of the United States. When the babies are born, they only weigh between one and two tenths of … Virginia opossums inhabit Central America and the eastern half of the United States, as well as parts of the west coast, where opossums had just been introduced during the Great Depression. They originally were found only in southeastern U.S., but in recent years their range has expanded west and north all the way into northern Minnesota. The Central American Woolly Opossum is a medium-sized marsupial of the rainforests of Central America and northwestern South America. Opossums are nocturnal, meaning they venture out of their dens in the evening in search of food. Opossums, sometimes mistakenly called possums, are marsupials native to the Americas. Opossums are considered a generalist species that can utilize a wide variety of foods and habitats. Mobile Number. As marsupials, the pests carry their young in pouches. Opossums inhabit a wide variety of habitats. They are not territorial to the extent that they defend their ranges from other opossums. Except for higher elevations, opossums now occupy most human-occupied habitats in western Washington. These animals occur in every Indiana county, but their numbers can be reduced in northern counties during severe winters. Although they prefer deciduous woodlands with streams, they use all habitats within their range. Many opossum ranges overlap, and good quality habitats may support 20 opossums to the square mile. with moderately long fur that ranges in color from white to dark gray. You will receive text messages with ways to help animals right from your phone. Geographic Range. Learn everything you need to know about opossum facts, behavior and habitat. Opossums are excellent climbers and will climb trees or hide in bushes when chased. The biggest possums rarely grow beyond the size of a house cat. Opossums like to eat a wide variety of foods, ranging from fruits, grasses, insects, mammals, birds, fish and even carrion. An adult opossum is about the same size as a house cat, but with much shorter legs. Typical opossum litter sizes range from as few as 4 to as many as 25 joeys. Both a local / tourist attraction and souvenir shop / gift shop. The Virginia opossum’s range extends throughout the United States, except in extremely mountainous or arid regions. Opossum A relatively new mammal to Maine, ‘possums’ have expanded their range northward to become residents here. Adults weigh from 6 to 15 pounds. The Virginia opossum was once widely hunted and consumed in the United States. In the past half-century, opossums have extended their range and are now found in Canada. On a continental scale, it ranges from southeastern Canada south through New England to Florida, west to Minnesota, Nebraska and Texas, and south to middle America. They reside in a variety of homes including abandoned burrows, tree cavities, hollow logs, attics, garages or building foundations. It is also found in southern Canada. Opossums are wanderers, being nomadic and not staying in one specific territory. The common opossum and Virginia opossum are found in the United States, Mexico, Central America, South America and Canada. What Do Opossums Like to Eat? The Virginia opossum has a total of 50 teeth, more than any other North American mammal. Opossum Habitat The opossum’s ancestors evolved in South America, and the creature invaded this continent about 800,000 years ago, following the formation of the Isthmus of Panama. Their population is stable. The animal lives in a wide range of habitats, … They tend to be solitary and nomadic and are primarily nocturnal in activity. 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