08/08/2025
IT'S FUN FACT FRIDAY!
10 Random Fun Facts About Opossums
Did You Know..
•Opossums are actually marsupials, not rodents. Despite their appearance, possums are marsupials. Meaning that they carry their young in a pouch.
•Opossums are the only marsupual species found in America.
•Opossums don't actually "play" dead. It's an involuntary, catatonic state that they fall into when they feel they're in danger or threatened.
•Their long, hairless tail is prehensile. Meaning it can grasp and hold onto things, aiding in climbing and balance. Kind of like a monkey.
•Opossums actually have a natural immunity to rabies. That makes them low risk for carrying the disease. You should always get checked out if you get bit, though. Always be safe.
•Opossums LOVE ticks! Being excellent tick predators also means they could potentially play part in reducing Lyme disease. I think thats a win!
•Opossums have a varying diet, ranging from fruits and vegetables to insects and even carrion.
•They're also surprisingly clean animals and clean themselves regularly.
•Baby opossums or joeys, are born extremely immature and small and naked. They must crawl into their mother's pouch to fully develop. That's usually for around 8 weeks.
•Lastly, possums have 50 teeth! Can you believe that? 50. More teeth than any other land animal in North America.
Stay tuned for more Random Animal Fun Facts! Every Friday. Here with One Awesome Possum Critter Catcher.
