Virginia Opossum
Didelphis virginiana
They have 50 teeth—the most of any North American land mammal—and are naturally immune to most pit viper venoms.
- Scientific name
- Didelphis virginiana
- Taxonomy
- Animalia › Chordata › Mammalia › Didelphimorphia › Didelphidae › Didelphis
- IUCN Red List status
- Least Concern
- Population trend
- increasing
- Biome
- forest
- Habitat
- Deciduous forests, shrublands, wetlands, and increasingly common in urban and suburban environments.
- Diet
- Opportunistic omnivore: insects, carrion, fruits, grains, and small vertebrates like snakes or rodents.
- Range
- United States, Southern Canada, Mexico, Central America
- Size
- Length: 35-94 cm; Weight: 0.8-6.4 kg
- Lifespan
- 1 to 3 years
- Active
- nocturnal
- Threats
- Vehicle strikes, domestic pets, and habitat loss.
- Safe to approach?
- Generally harmless and shy. If cornered, they may hiss, growl, or 'play dead' (thanatosis). Maintain a respectful distance of 5-10 feet. Do not attempt to handle, as they may bite in self-defense. If bitten, wash the wound thoroughly and seek medical advice, though they are highly resistant to rabies.
The Virginia opossum ( Didelphis virginiana ), commonly known as the North American opossum , is a marsupial found in North America. It is the only marsupial found north of Mexico. In the United States, it is typically referred to simply as a possum . It is a solitary and nocturnal animal about the size of a domestic cat. It is a successful opportunist. It is familiar to many North Americans as it is often seen near towns, rummaging through...
Photo: Shirley Zundell, CC-BY, via iNaturalist
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