Pictures and facts about the Virginia opossum

Didelphis virginiana posters

Virginia opossum

Order : Didelphimorphia
Family : Didelphidae
Subfamily : Didelphinae
Species : Didelphis virginiana

The Virginia Opossum (Didelphis virginiana) is nocturnal animal, that was introduced in California in 1890, and since then has been very succesful and can be found from Mexico to Canada and from coast to coast throughout North America and appear to be extending their range. They have prehensile tails which can be used to grab branches. The name 'opossum' is sometimes shortened to 'possum', which actually is the name for an Australian group of marsupials. These are distinct from opossums which are only found in North and South America. The Virginia opossum is probably best know for its last resort to escaping predators, "playing possum". As a last resort it can fake death to lose interest of its predator. In the United states, their main threat is getting killed by a car.

Interesting fact: the Virginia Opossum (Didelphis virginiana) is the only marsupial species found in North America.

Picture of the virginia opossum by Cody Pope, licensed under Attribution ShareAlike 2.5

Facts about the Virginia opossum

Discussion A solitary nocturnal animal, the Virginia Opossum is terrestrial and arboreal, and climbs well.

In Missouri, the Virginia opossum (Didelphis virginiana) is found in its natural habitat, hardwood forest with brushy areas, near a water source, as well as in urban settings.

Johnson, California Academy of Sciences Virginia Opossums are medium-sized mammals, about the size of a large housecat.

The opossum (Didelphis virginiana) is the definitive host of the parasite in which gametogenesis and production of sporocysts occurs in the small intestine.

The Virginia opossum is common in farmed areas, in woodlands and along

Virginia opossum is a wandering opportunist who has ambled from prehistoric times to the modern day virtually unchanged.

Virginia Opossum Virginia Opossum Scientific classification Kingdom:Animalia Phylum:Chordata Class:Mammalia Subclass:MarsupialiaOrder:Didelphimorphia Family:Didelphidae Genus:Didelphis Species:virginiana Binomial name Didelphis virginiana The Virginia Opossum (Didelphis virginiana) is the only marsupial found in North America.

Virginia Possum Virginia Opossums are found in North America, Central America

              The life cycle of Didelphis virginiana is quite interesting, in that it is a marsupial.

foxes Virginia opossums are well-known for pretending to be dead to avoid being eaten by predators. (Full text)

The Virginia Opossum (Didelphis virginiana) is the only marsupial found in North America. (Full text)

The Virginia Opossum is the only marsupial (pouched mammal) native to the United States and Canada. (Full text)

The Virginia Opossum (Didelphis virginiana) is the only marsupial found in North America. (Full text)

The Virginia opossum is solitary and nocturnal. (Full text)

Virginia Opossums are also unique in many other ways. (Full text)

Virginia opossums are about the size of a large house cat. (Full text)

Anatomy: The Virginia Opossum is about 2. (Full text)

Printouts The Virginia Opossum (Didelphis virginiana) is the only living marsupial from North America. (Full text)

Virginia Opossums are nocturnal (most active at night). (Full text)

Comments: Virginia opossums are marsupials. (Full text)

The Virginia Opossum is the only marsupial found in North America. (Full text)

The Virginia Opossum (Didelphis virginiana) is the only marsupial found in North America. (Full text)

Opossums - Habits Virginia Opossums are solitary nocturnal animals, but may become diurnal in cold weather. (Full text)

Virginia opossums are found only in North America and Central America. (Full text)

· The Virginia opossum is also known as the “American opossum. (Full text)