Opossums (pronounced POSS-umz) are one of the strangest animals in Minnesota. They are related to kangaroos and other marsupials found in Australia. 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. They are excellent climbers, and they use their long tails for balance.

Identification

General description: An opossum looks like a cross between a muskrat and a rat. Its body is gray with a white face and pink nose. Its ears and long tail are hairless.

Length: 13 to 20 inches long, with a 15-inch tail.

Weight: 4 to 15 pounds.

Color: Grayish white, sometimes darker gray to nearly black.

Sounds: When threatened, opossums click their teeth, growl and screech.

Reproduction

Opossums mate between January and May, bearing two litters of 6 to 20 young each year. Baby opossums are born just 13 days after mating. Each weighs less than one ounce and is blind and hairless. After nursing in their mother's pouch for 8 weeks, they emerge and grow rapidly until they are fully able to live on their own.

Food

Opossums eat almost anything, such as worms, snakes, insects, eggs, young birds, fruit, grain, garbage and the remains of dead animals (called carrion).

Predators

Dogs, bobcats, coyotes, foxes, hawks and owls.

Habitat and range

Opossums live in woodlands and agricultural areas in all of Minnesota except the far northern part. They spend most of their day in hollow logs or in dens in the ground, in brush piles, or under buildings. Some opossums will travel great distances, particularly at night.

Population and management

The opossum is an unprotected furbearer. That means it can be killed at any time. Minnesota trappers harvest 2,000 to 8,000 opossums each year.

Fun facts

When cornered, opossums may fall into a death-like state and secrete foul-smelling scent. This is called playing dead or playing 'possum'. Opossums are resistant to the venom of poisonous snakes such as rattlesnakes, which they sometime eat.