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Opossums are often considered to be ugly due to their pointed snouts, rat-like tails, and scruffy fur. However, these creatures are actually quite adorable and have a number of unique qualities that make them fascinating to observe. For instance, opossums are the only marsupials in North America, meaning that their babies are born extremely undeveloped and must continue to develop outside of the womb. Additionally, opossums are highly adaptable and can survive in a wide range of environments, from forests to urban areas. Overall, while they may not be conventionally attractive, opossums are definitely worth appreciating for their many intriguing qualities.
A young Virginia opossum (Didelphis virginiana) may not be the prettiest animal you’ve seen, but don’t hate him because of his appearance. Diana Haronis/Getty Images
If you live in North America, you’ve probably come across a Virginia opossum (Didelphis virginiana) at some point – whether it was dead on the road or alive on your porch eating cat food late at night. But you might have thought, “Gross, it’s a possum!” and in either case, you would have been mistaken.
Firstly, a “possum” is an Australian marsupial which raises its young in a pouch like a kangaroo. The opossum is a completely different species residing in North Carolina, which is often confused with the Australian possum.
“People often get confused about this,” explains Richard Ostfeld, senior scientist at the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies in Millbrook, New York. “I’ve had people tell me they found building plans for possum nest boxes and that they planned to install dozens of them to encourage opossums to multiply on their property. But, when I looked up the plans, they were designed for brush-tailed possums in Australia – completely useless for opossums in North America.”
Secondly, while opossums may not be the prettiest creatures, they are far from gross. Their hairless, prehensile tail, crocodile-like mouth full of teeth, and beady eyes may put some people off, but they are in fact, the cleanest and most likely disease-free wildlife in your neighborhood. Opossums are also fascinating creatures.
Opossums Fight Disease by Killing Ticks
It’s a common misconception that opossums carry rabies or distemper. In fact, their body temperature is too low to make them susceptible to these diseases. Not only do opossums not carry the diseases you think they do, the presence of an opossum in your yard is your best bet for combating Lyme disease.
A 2009 study found that opossums were the only animals to destroy over 95 percent of all blacklegged ticks (the disease vector for Lyme disease) that tried to feed on them. “Our calculations indicated that a single opossum is capable of killing several thousand larval ticks per week during the late-summer peak,” says Ostfeld, who co-authored the study. “We also know that only a small fraction of those ticks that do successfully feed on an opossum will become infected with the Lyme disease bacterium. So, opossums are protective in two ways – killing ticks and preventing infection.”
A new study published in the journal Ecology in July 2018 by the same research team found that tick-borne disease risk was reduced in areas where opossums were present.
Opossums: More Intelligent Than You Might Think
Opossums may be known for their tendency to wander into traffic and play dead, but they possess surprising intelligence. Their nocturnal habits and poor eyesight mean that we’re more likely to see them as roadkill than alive. Playing dead is their primary defense mechanism, but it is an involuntary reaction to extreme stress that can leave them in a coma for several hours. Despite this, they possess excellent memories. They can remember and avoid the smell of a chemical that made them sick for up to a year after first encountering it.
Opossums are generally non-aggressive animals who prefer to play dead when threatened. They are also fastidiously clean, grooming themselves regularly to keep parasites at bay and regulate their body temperature. They lack sweat glands, so grooming is like air conditioning for them. They also keep themselves odor-neutral to avoid attracting predators, but they do have a defense mechanism that involves excreting a smelly mucus from their rear end to signal that they are dead.
Opossums: Unique Reproductive Anatomy
Opossum reproduction has long been the subject of confusion and myth. The truth is that male opossums have a forked penis to accommodate the female’s unique anatomy, which includes a double vagina and twin uteri. Opossum embryos develop for about 13 days before being born about the size of houseflies. Despite giving birth to dozens of babies, female opossums only have 13 teats, limiting the number of offspring that can survive to adulthood.
To discover further information regarding opossums, check out “Awesome Opossum: Everything you wanted to know about Opossums!” authored by Sparkles. HowStuffWorks recommends similar titles that may interest you. If you decide to make a purchase, we will receive a percentage of the sale.
Now here’s something interesting – opossums possess immunity to numerous snake venoms and other toxins.
FAQ
1. What are opossums and where do they live?
Opossums are a type of marsupial found in North and South America. They are nocturnal creatures and are usually found in the woods, but can also be found in urban environments.
2. Why are opossums considered ugly?
Opossums have a distinctive appearance that some people find unappealing. They have long, pointed faces, sharp teeth, and naked tails. Their fur is often scruffy and they have a tendency to drool.
3. What are some interesting facts about opossums?
Opossums are the only marsupial found in North America. They have a prehensile tail that they can use to grab onto branches and other objects. They also have a unique defense mechanism where they “play dead” when they feel threatened.
4. Are opossums dangerous?
Opossums are not dangerous to humans. They are docile animals and are unlikely to attack unless cornered. They are also immune to many diseases, including rabies.
5. What do opossums eat?
Opossums are omnivores and will eat almost anything. Their diet includes insects, small mammals, fruits, and vegetables.
6. Can opossums be kept as pets?
Opossums are not recommended as pets. They are wild animals and require specialized care. In many states, it is also illegal to keep opossums as pets.
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