Excerpt from Opossums
Kathy Hufford



The Virginia opossum (commonly known just as the opossum) has the distinction of being North America’s only marsupial, an animal that carries its young in a pouch, like kangaroos and koala bears.

Newborn opossums are tiny. A typical litter of 8 to 9 young can fit in a teaspoon. They climb into the mother‘s pouch when they are born and stay there up to three months. Around four months of age, they‘re on their own, leading mostly solitary lives. Their average life span is only 1-2 years in the wild.

Opossums are non-aggressive and shy. In the presence of a threat, they will flee if possible. In addition to being nocturnal, they don‘t burrow, dig, or destroy property, so most people never even realize that an opossum has been in their yard.

Opossums have several interesting defense mechanisms. First, they will hiss and bare their teeth. They may then wobble and drool excessively, making potential predators think they are sick (and therefore, unappetizing). If these defenses fail, they will “play possum” by slipping into a fear-induced state of sleep causing them to appear dead. This discourages animals that eat live prey.

The opossum’s diet consists of insects, snails, and slugs, keeping our gardens free of pests. They catch and eat mice and rats, keeping rodent populations in check. Opossums are immune to the venom of poisonous snakes and will feed on snakes such as copperheads.

Which detail BEST supports the idea that opossums are not a threat to people?



A)Opossums stay in their mother's pouch for three months. B)Opossums are nocturnal, active at night, animals. C)Opossums catch and eat mice and rats. D)Opossums are non-aggressive and shy.