As scavengers, opossums play a very important role in the food system. Mammals with pouches, known as marsupials, are relatively rare in most places. She specializes in math, science, gifted and talented, and special education. These environments provide possums with protection from many of the hazards of the wild, as well as regular meals and medical care. They often dont attack pets, so your pets are likely to be safe from this wild animal. Well, they are actually responsible for killing thousands of ticks. Opossums don't generally have a lengthy life expectancy in the wilderness. They arent afraid of humans and dont react from the shine of a flashlight. . How do I know if my harmonic balancer is seated? Humans and domesticated animals like dogs and cats also pose a problem to the small opossum. It can become more active by day in colder, northern climes. There have always been challenges with this concept, but some other animals have responded well to being a pet. Their small, bright eyes are perfectly positioned in the head, and their muzzle is elongated. Possums They are not considered endangered. Bengal Tiger The popular term playing possum is a well-known colloquialism for a bluff and originated from the unique behavior adopted by the opossum in times of stress. They are omnivores who easily adapt to different foods that are available in different climates and habitats. The only species in North America and Canada is the Virginia opossum, sometimes called the common opossum. It may even work on humans who will avoid combatting the opossum. They generally live for about 2 - 4 years. When it feels threatened, the opossum emits cries and whistles intended to impress and scare away the opponent. When they forage for food rustling in tallgrass or shrubs, homeowners might hear the rustling sound. Check to see if the opossums eyes have opened. Wild opossums have a relatively short lifespan of approximately 1.5-2 years. All will go through the cycle: embryo, juvenile, independent, adult, death. The Virginia opossum, usually active by night, demonstrates terrestrial, arboreal, and aquatic locomotion. All other trademarks and copyrights are the property of their respective owners. Possum vs Opossum: How to Say It and How to Tell the Difference, Opossum Teeth: Everything You Need to Know, Opossum Poop: Everything Youve Ever Wanted to Know. Possums are small and relatively defenseless, which makes them easy targets for predators such as birds of prey, snakes, and larger mammals. Opossums are prey to many predators, including dogs, coyotes, birds of prey, and giant snakes. Brown Bear In some regions of the US, opossums are hunted for food. Opossums in the wild, on the other hand, have a significantly shorter life expectancy and seldom survive through their first year. However, unlike American opossums, Australian possums have fairly longer lifespans. As a pet, they may be able to live longer because they are not facing predators in the wilderness and trying to survive from them. They have the ability to scavenge for rotten fruit, garbage, pet food, and roadkill. The lifespan of the opossum varies depending on where the opossum lives and the number of nearby predators. Despite being born blind, they will climb up under their mothers tail and traverse her hairy belly to reach her pouch for protection. Young opossums that make it through development in the pouch are widely hunted by predators. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PuOj6rMAJOQ), 14 Small Types of Turtles (That Make Good Pets). Why is opossum lifespan so short? - Short-Fact An individual may live just a few months or a single year. If you don't have the dedication and time commitment it takes to raise an opossum, find a wild life rehabber ASAP. A opossum with open eyes is likely to be at least 70 days old. They make their nests with leaves and dry grass to protect themselves from extreme weather conditions. In captivity, however, they live about 3 years on average and can live for as long as 7 years. There are over 100 different opossum species, ranging in size from the pocket-sized pygmy opossum to the domestic cat-sized Virginia opossum. Other pets could generate fear into your opossum and that could force them into a state of shock, also known as playing dead. Elephant Most opossum populations are stable. Most species of opossum are immune to venom and can safely eat rattlesnakes and vipers. Being solitary animals, opossums avoid each other. The marsupial, who is at least seventy million years old, has remained unchanged and maintains the same genetics. Will they bite or scratch? Note if the opossum is still drinking its mothers milk, if you are observing it in the wild. You may wonder whether or not this nocturnal animal poses any danger to your pets and family. Worse yet, sometimes the opossum will become lame as it grows, which is likely due to a diet-induced disorder called metabolic bone disease, or rickets. Its fur is more or less dark gray all over its body, except for the face and the throat, which are white in color, and its pink nose. There is a chance they can receive important medical care when needed (although it can be difficult to find a specialized vet who can care for your pet opossum if that is the case). This response is called feigning death or apparent death. Since you may not be feeding them a proper raw prey model diet, you may need other supplements. Wolf, In the animal kingdom, the idea of two different species mating and producing offspring is not, Have you ever come across a peculiar-looking insect with folded forelimbs, large eyes, and a head, Wolves are a remarkable species that have evolved a range of adaptations to help them survive, The grizzly bear is one of the most iconic and impressive animals in North America. In the wild, opossums generally dont survive very long due to the number of predators out there. Possums as Pets: General Guidelines and Tips - AnimalWised It spends the winter in its dens that are safe, dry, and protected. Opossums are generally considered to be wild animals. How Long Do Opossums Live In Captivity - 666how.com Its best to bring cat or dog food into the house before dark, so the opossums, skunks, raccoons and foxes of the world wont find it. Possums can live up to an average of 6 to 8 years. How long do opossums live? - Quora The majority are killed by predators and in road kills. Strength However, in the wild, opossums have a substantially lower life expectancy and seldom live past their first year. Find out here, NYTimes A Fast Life and Success That Starts in the Pouch, Sciencedirect Miscellaneous small mammal behavior, Cary Institute Opossums: Where Lyme disease goes to die, If you want to know more about why opossums play dead? Continue with Recommended Cookies. They change their dens location very frequently even after a few days to avoid predators. How Long Do Possums Live [Facts and Information] - Pest Control Weekly Siberian Tiger However, in the wild, opossums have a much lower life expectancy and do not commonly make it past their first year. The opossum is the only marsupial, or pouched mammal, found in the U.S. An opossum will grow bigger as they mature into adulthood. Opossums need a lot of exercise and a regular diet. Many newborns dont make the journey into the pouch; fewer than half typically survive. Opossum mothers have 13 nipples. It does not store any personal data. Therefore, many people believe that studying the opossum gives a glimpse into the past. Female opossums, called jills, give birth to up to about 20 tiny live young per litter. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". Senescence is rapid. Only 12-13 days after mating, the opossum gives birth to 16-20 offspring. In general, the longest that a possum has been recorded living is about seven years. Assorted Animals is a website that offers animal learning modules, articles, and videos. When you picture a mammal that has a pouch to carry its young, what comes to mind? The Virginia opossum (Didelphis virginiana), also known as the North American opossum, is the only opossum living north of Mexico, its range extending south into Central America.It is the northernmost marsupial in the world. As a result, possums in captivity can live for longer periods of time than those in the wild. Trying to transform a possum into a pet can be expensive and heartbreaking. They are omnivores, eating almost anything, live in a wide variety of habitats, and have many adaptations including a pouch for their babies (joeys) and the response to play dead. At first, the baby opossum weighs less than a gram. Even venomous snakes are on the menu! As soon as they are born, they cling to their mother's udder, where they will be breastfed for about 70 days, after which they are weaned and become independent. You may want to know whether or not this creepy wildlife creature may attack you. The longest an opossum usually lives in the wilderness is about four years. Why do opossums live so short in captivity? - signalduo.com Although the word play suggests a conscious act, this catatonic defense mechanism is actually a completely involuntary and automatic physiological response to danger. However, you can hear different kinds of sounds the opossum makes, including rumbling, growling, hissing, and screeching. The Virginia opossum is the only marsupial native to North America. It is the opossum, (pronounced possum), but it is quite prevalent in some regions of the U.S. Join us as we take a closer look at the opossum and its way of life. By having your opossum inside most of the time, it would be very challenging for your opossum to receive an appropriate amount of exercise. However, they seem to do everything else right. Approaching an animal that appears to be infected with rabies, common in opossums due to the open foaming mouth, is, in general, not a very good idea, even if it appears dead. Those living near humans will also take the opportunity to explore garbage cans and dumpsters to enrich their diet. Everything you need to know about the opossumThe opossum is one of the oldest mammals in the world; Scientists have found fossilsof this species dating back 65 million years, the time when dinosaurs became extinct. But opossums may use parts of your house to build a place to nest.Are Opossums Dangerous To Humans?This wild animal is referred to as the possum in the Midwest and the southern United States of America. Thus hundreds of possum females diecarrying puppies in their pouches. Light grey fur with a white face, dark eyes, a pointed snout and naked tail are a few distinguishing features of this animal. Opossums are handy to have in your yard. Discover the Unique Animal that Can Survive 80 Rattlesnake Bites! A marsupial is an animal that carries its young in a pouch. Basically, their survival instinct sucks! Butterfly They also have thumbs on their hands and feet! Opossums don't live long. During the breeding season (January to July in the United States), males and females find each other and mate. Basic Information Sheet: Virginia Opossum - LafeberVet Opossums catch mice, birds, insects and even snakes to dine on. A nearby water source is an important feature when it comes to habitat. There are many challenges to adapting to this unique living environment. In fact, there is only one that is found in North America. Opossums give birth to typically 7 or 8 babies, or joeys, but can have up to 20 at one time. It would be best to look closely at an opossum when they are in this state. A kit will generally open its eyes when it is 55 to 70 days old. Even if your pet opossum gets a lot of exercise, it should be kept on a strict diet regimen. The most significant risk to the life of an opossum is humans. This can be a little bit costly. Opossums become dangerous with their ability to transmit diseases to pets and people. While they are small and easy to care for, they are naturally created to be out in the wilderness. Jack and Jilland Joeys. They are often discovered when raiding human garbage bins. This particular fauna intrigued European explorers. Habitat of the opossumThey prefer the woody habitats; most opossums live in the deciduous forests that shed their leaves. Although it is not as noticeable as that of the kangaroo, it is certainly very important. While females can go unnoticed, the male stands out and gets eaten by predators. 1 How long does a possum live in captivity? Babies are born just 13 days after mating, and they are tiny and extremely underdeveloped. The opossum's tail is a very useful tool. There are other adaptations to the opossum. The story goes that the name opossum was first used in western culture by Captain John Smith in 1608. That's potentially 112 young in their lifetime. Gorilla In captivity, the oldest recorded opossum was four years and five months old. Birds The lifespan of an opossum is relatively short for a mammal of its size. 302 lessons. How long does a possum live in captivity? They hunt and move during the night because their eyes are best adapted to the darkness. This critical behavior has been remarkably effective in throwing a predator off guard and giving the opossum a second chance for escape by giving the impression of an unpalatable, rotten corpse. Although six years sounds like a short time, this is a long time compared to the average one to two years they typically survive in the wild. While they dont need an overwhelming amount of space, larger cages will be beneficial to their physical and mental health. However, in the wild, opossums have a much lower life expectancy and do not commonly make it past their first year of life. We do support rehabilitation through the correct channels. Ticks, particularly black-legged ticks such as deer ticks, which are responsible for the transmission of Lyme disease, appear to be a favorite of the opossum. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PuOj6rMAJOQ)Do opossums make good pets? Known aptly as ''playing possum,'' the opossum is basically shocked into an involuntary coma-like state when threatened or scared. and even those living in captivity succumb to old age . Enter your email in the box below to get the most mind-blowing animal stories and videos delivered directly to your inbox every day. Opossums also need places to build nests, such as tree openings, burrows from other animals or woodpiles. Whats your superpower? To see what not to feed opossums visit our article What Do Opossums Eat here. Its important to note that the lifespan of any individual possum can vary depending on a number of factors, such as their age, health, and individual characteristics. Their eyes may still be slightly open, their ears may twitch at sudden sounds, and they may notice shallow breathing and a heartbeat. Weight When not lodging in tree holes or in dens made by other wildlife, they can shelter in sheds, barns, or under homes. They live anywhere from arid deserts to forests and grassy plains. They have a prehensile tail to help with climbing trees. With a lifespan that normally only extends two or three years, opossums can live many additional years as a pet in captivity. It can only hold on by its prehensile tail for short periods of time, but its handy fifth hand is most useful in the trees. If one of the young becomes separated from its mother it will make sneezing sounds to call her. How Long Do Possums Live - Possum Lifespan - Zooologist A female may give birth to up to 25 young in one litter, although often only around half of the joeys successfully make the journey into the pouch after birth. A lot of this has to do with external factors that theyre not able to control. One of its main characteristics is docility towards humans.Some people choose it as a pet.Despite this, the care that an opossum needs surpasses the good intentions of thosewho buy or catch it. They could easily become overweight and struggle with health issues as they get older. In most cases, opossums live much shorter lives due to health issues or predators. Their sharp claws aid them in climbing by digging into the tree bark. Opossum - Wikipedia For males, the age of maturity occurs at 8 months. Discover the opossum diet, the opossum lifespan, and the opossum habitat. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. Their curled-up tails help them to carry the soft materials for nesting. The lack of fear of people from any wild creature like an opossum means they can be dangerous. This means that even if they eat the remains of an animal with rabies, they don't get sick themselves and don't pass the illness along. They are also a source of food for many other predators, including humans. It is recommended to give them the benefit of the doubt and assume they are just playing dead. Their droppings look like the poop of a dog and around 3/4" in diameter. Another factor that can contribute to the short lifespan of possums is exposure to harsh weather conditions. With 50 teeth in their mouths, there are many possibilities. For an opossum, this is typically known as playing possum. Playing possum is a colloquialism for the opossums involuntary reaction to playing dead when they feel threatened. Their feces are 12" in length that may be covered in yellowish or white mold growth and have smooth sides. Virginia opossums may be preyed upon by owls, domestic dogs, coyotes, red foxes, raccoons, bobcats, and large snakes. There are plenty of other factors that change and bring about new obstacles to opossums living the good life with humans. Like many other nocturnal wildlife, their hearing is acute. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". Thank you for reading! In the regions where it is legal to own an opossum, there are still a few challenges. This type of opossum also imbibes in carrion (already-dead animals) and even garbage. Life span. . So, whats the deal with their short lifespans? Explorer John Smith gave the opossum its name from the Algonquian word apassum, meaning white beast. Are Opossums Dangerous?The opossum is a marsupial that is native to North America and often carries a lot of misconceptions. Its keeping your neighborhood clean! Opossums start life small, often the size of honeybees, and grow to the size of a cat. Speed When threatened or harmed by dogs, foxes, bobcats, or other predators, opossums may "play possum," appearing to be sick or dead. Home at Last. The lifespan of a possum can vary depending on a number of factors, including their environment and access to food and medical care. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. Chad Fox is a wildlife expert who loves spending time in nature and working with animals on ranches and farms in Texas and Oklahoma. They have been observed near roadkill, a hazardous food source as cars barrel down on them. They are considered to be nocturnal animals. Its illegal to keep them without a wildlife rehabilitation permit, though, and once theyre old enough to survive on their own, healthy possums can, and should, be released. It is an involuntary response (like fainting) rather than a conscious act. When the opossum finishes maturing, it will weigh between six and nine pounds, depending on the gender. In a study done by Stanford University Medical Center, it was discovered that carnivores prey heavily on mainland opossums. Life Expectancy. Is it possible for an opossum to live a happy and healthy life as a pet? Opossums As Pets | Pet Opossum Care | Assorted Animals These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. These teen years are the short time between being a newborn opossum and becoming an adult. This helps them survive in many different environments and climates. Furthermore, having moved from its natural habitat to the borders of cities and towns, the opossum also feeds on leftovers from food and the remains of other animals. If the opossum continuously receives exceptional care and appropriate types of food, opossums could live for more than five or six years, although this is rare. Why do domesticated opossums have such a short lifespan? There are no known illnesses that pass from opossums to humans. Opossums reproduce 1 to 3 times a year, depending on their living environment. This makes their diet varied, and they are considered omnivores. However, because people are going to do it anyway, we want to provide reliable information on the subject. In the wild, possums typically live for two to four years, while those in captivity can live for up to six or seven years or longer. Sniffing Out Supper. The opossum is the only marsupial that lives in North America. But theyre not rodents even though they look similar in many ways. They can also be found close by rivers, lakes, streams, or other water sources. It seems that biologically after the animal has completed their breeding lifespan of roughly two years, their bodies just give up from there. They are hale and hearty for 95% of their lifespan, then begin to show clear signs of old age, and usually die within a month or so of the first signs. Contact the AZ Animals editorial team. Praying Mantis It measures between 65 and 85 centimeters long in total, including the tail which, alone, can be 40 cm. When all else fails, they play possum," and act as if they are dead. If an opossum lives in an area with remotely no predators, the likelihood of living a full life is much higher than an opossum that lives somewhere with many predators. The tail does not have any bones inside or hair on the outside. This is almost three times the average lifespan of an opossum in the wild. Arctic Fox Because they are great diggers, you will also have to fortify your fencing. Dog Teenage Opossums Leave Their Moms Pouch, opossums have adapted easily to new territories, The Red Foxs SNEAKY Behavior (Stealing, Breaking In, and Being Clever), Red Foxes and Their Drinking Habits (What Do Foxes Drink? Tree nests in forestsOpossums are pretty at home in the forest. While you might be able to visit a local pet store and find an acceptable type of pet food for your opossum, there may be some better options as well. Life Cycle This can lead to a variety of problems. While opossums are commonly referred to as "possums," true possums belong to a separate order of marsupials, native to Australia and New Guinea. Listen Up. At this moment in time, its illegal to own an opossum as a pet in several regions. The possum can live 2 to 3 years in the wild and up to 6 years in captivity. This state of catatonia can last from a few minutes to four hours. The opossum is a slow-moving animal relative to others. What Does A Badger Sound Like? You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. As a result, possums in captivity can live for up to six or seven years, or even longer in some cases. In winter, they may venture indoors. However, there is no change in heart rate or brain waves when an opossum is playing dead. Domestication should not be confused with taming. In Massachusetts for instance, any wild or exotic animal that is not on their exotic animal list or domestic list, can not be owned as pets, including Opossums. This New World species is correctly called an "opossum" as opposed to the Old World "possum". The catatonic state can last for up to four hours, and has proven effective as a deterrent to predators looking for a hot meal. They tend to be vocal when young opossums get separated from their parents or aggressive. In addition, opossums are expert climbers, and spend much time up in the trees. They set up their nests in trees or forest dens in the fallen hollow logs, piles of bushes, and rock crevices. They are known for their adaptability and ability to thrive in a variety of environments. The joeys eyes eventually open after approximately 60 to 70 days in the pouch. The infants continue to develop inside the pouch. Opossum: Lifespan and Life Cycle. The Virginia opossum has a cat-sized body; grey or whitish fur with a white face; long pointy snout; round dark eyes and hairless ears; four paws; long, hairless tail spanning over 1/3 of its total body length.