Virginia opossum

Scientific Classification

 * Kingdom: Animalia
 * Phylum: Chordata
 * Class: Mammalia
 * Order: Didelphimorphia
 * Family: Didelphidae
 * Genus: Didelphis
 * Species: D. virginiana
 * Binomial Name: Didelphis virginiana

Description
Virginia opossums range 13-20 inches long and their tail is around 10-21.5 inches long. They weight anywhere from 4.5-12 pounds. Opossums have red, brown, or black fur but a white face. They have long, white-tipped guard hairs with thick underfur which make their hair look scruffy. They have a hairless tail and have five clawed toes per foot.

Habitat
Virginia opossums are found in temperate and tropical forests along with savannas, grasslands, and in urban areas in the central eastern area of the United States and along the east coast as well. They are also found along the east and west coasts of Mexico and the southern portion of Mexico and Central America as well. It's range is actively expanding in North America. The Virginia opossum nests in piles of debris and outbuildings.

Behavior
Virginia opossums are individual and nocturnal species. Although they are terrestrial, they are strong swimmers and climbers. Males are only territorial during the breeding season. Females bear up to 18 babies per litter, however, mothers only have enough teats for 13 babies so some of her babies will die. The babies are attached to the teats for 50 days and leave their mothers pouch when they are 70 days old.

Virginia opossums are known for their tactics of faking death when they are scared. The opossoms lie on the ground, unmoking and partly curled. It's eyes and mouth are usually open and it doesn't respond to touch and they sometimes emit a foul-smelling fluid from its anus.

Diet
Virginia opossums scavage for scraps from humans, or if in the wild, the opossums will eat grubs, eggs, flowers, fruit, and carrion. They have been known to attack farm poultry and wreck gardens.