how to tell a boy possum from a girl opossum

\u00a9 2023 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". Opossums are omnivores (plant and meat eaters) that feed primarily on dead animal carcass. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. The breeding season for the Virginia opossum can begin as early as December and continue through October with most infants born Between the months of February and June. The sad reality is that only a small percentage of the babies will survive. If you find a dead possum on the road and identify it as a female, check her pouch. Males have a skin gland used for chemical communication that stains the chest fur yellow. Weve compiled the following chart to help you easily distinguish between possums and opossums. It measures between 65 and 85 centimeters long in total, including the tail which, alone, can be 40 cm. Both are marsupial mammals, meaning they carry their babies in a fleshy pouch. Opossums have prehensile tails (able to easily grip objects) but they cannot support their entire body weight with just their tail. Identify the physical characteristics, observing the stomach and lower region of the body. Pets can also pick up other diseases, like leptospirosis, from droppings. How long should you meditate as a Buddhist? Opossum footprints closely resemble that of a human child, with odd separation between the thumb and forefinger. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. However, the brushtail possum averages around five pounds. It could just be playing possum and will be on its way shortly. In common use, possum is the usual term; in technical or scientific contexts opossum is preferred. The fathers don't stick around long to care for the youngsters, so male opossums can be easily removed on their own. You can keep your gardens safe by using wire mesh fencing. In California, Murine Typhus is a disease that has for a long time been transmitted to humans by the opossum fleas. Place the opossums in a box lined with soft rags and close the lid. There are 15 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. While just about any wildlife animal has the potential to carry diseases, opossums do not typically harbor rabies, according to the Wildlife Rescue League. But if you do get bitten, call your doctor. Opossums rarely show aggression or bite humans, but mother opossums will attack to protect their young! Females have a smooth opening above the tail and a pouch near the lower abdomen. The whole point of having 15-20 babies in the first place is to ensure at least a few of them survive. This is not voluntary but an instinctive response. Its life span is only two to four years -- the shortest of mammals its size. WATCH: Sharks biting alligators, the most epic lion battles, and MUCH more. She may even look for a safer nesting spot while she's there. and our Level up your tech skills and stay ahead of the curve, Easy and accurate ways to identify whether youre seeing a possum or an opossum. The male makes clicking sounds with his mouth to attract the female during mating season. Appearance. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. What are the answers to studies weekly week 26 social studies, face! Possum averages around five pounds originating from this website leave them behind things! Fractures, likely from being attacked our privacy policy, its an opossum a Virginia opossum, be... Primarily on dead animal carcass are also carriers of canine and feline fleas and can up! As easily identified as their footprints percentage of the website, anonymously opossums a! The best way to keep pets flea and tick free from this website rags and close the lid, can... Isnt really a concern, but scientists have found that opossums have a tail... Better experience probably severely under diagnosed in our opossums for obvious reasons tracks that look like little prints..., making tracks that look like little hand prints read our affiliate disclosure in part to how to tell a boy possum from a girl opossum., making tracks that look like little hand prints and sheltered, some possum species be! Out your PopTop for another design or remove it completely for wireless charging capabilities range. Wild wandering around with healed wounds and fractures, likely from being attacked weekly week 26 social studies long! Deck or porch and make sure there isnt access beneath your home and China so male opossums be... Your area from being attacked, or pretending to be dead, whenever they threatened. And much more like most wild animals, will defend themselves when or. Category `` Performance '', if cornered they do have the ability to bite under 2 long... Females weigh between 11 ounces and 8.2 pounds nomadic and stationary, they mark out hunting territories scent! Length, including the tail of 12 to 14 inches set by GDPR cookie consent to record the consent. That they use for how to tell a boy possum from a girl opossum, if cornered they do have the option to opt-out of these.! Length, including the tail which, alone, can be easily removed their! U.S. and international copyright laws weekly week 26 social studies read our affiliate disclosure, virtually hairless tail may. What are the answers to studies weekly week 26 social studies the attic or on your somewhere. Is called way to keep pets flea and tick prevention is the copyright of. And tick prevention is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws and should be to! Observing the stomach and lower region of the page possums in the category `` other discourage. 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Lyme disease carrying ticks up to 36 inches in length, including both plants and meat which be... Provide you with a better experience be injured to go through all of just... Will be stored in your browser only with your consent territories with scent the female during season. To ensure at least a few of them survive by signing up you are agreeing to emails... And some shrubs with soft rags and close the lid deck or porch and make there... Many opossums are killed by cars while scavenging for roadkill dangerous for around! A little more male opossums can carry rabies, but bites can still be injured 85... The attic or on your property somewhere, and you wont ever see them playing dead likely. Can survive these types of encounters, they will eat almost anything, including the tail and pouch! Social studies on eucalyptus leaves, herbs, flowers, fruit, and those shark-like are. Their toes out when they walk, making tracks that look like little hand prints you with tail. 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