The largest group of marsupials in the Americas, 126 species. Only the Virginia opossum lives in the US and Canada, where it’s often called a possum. It’s usually non-aggressive and rarely carries rabies.
Quick answers
What is it?Mammal
Carnivore?Omnivore
Dangerous?No
Domesticated?No
Awake when?Night
A solitary nocturnal animal that favours dark, secure dens.
Hibernates?No
Kept as a pet?No
Do people eat it?In places
Hunted for sport and food, and some believe its meat has healing properties.
At a glance
Found inNorth America, Central America, South America
HabitatForest, Towns, Farmland
ColoursGrey, White, Black
SizeSmall
Length33–55 cm (Virginia opossum)
Weight1.9–6 kg (Virginia opossum)
Legs4
Covered inFur
Lives alone
Lives for2–4 years
Can swim
In the wild
- Where it lives
- The Americas, from Canada to South America.
Did you know
Plays dead when terrified, lying limp for up to several hours.
Gestation lasts only 11–13 days, and a litter can be over 20 young.
Often confused with
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