Virginia opossum facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Virginia opossum |
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Didelphinae
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| Didelphis virginiana |
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The Virginia opossum (Didelphis virginiana) is the only species of North American marsupial. It is sometimes called a possum, but that refers more correctly to a group of Australian marsupials.
Contents
Description
An opossum is about the size of a house cat. It has grizzled white and gray fur. Adult opossums weigh about 2-6 kg (4-14 lbs). They live alone, are active at night, and they are good climbers.
Habitat
People can find this opossum in the eastern United States, and along the west coast from British Columbia and to Baja California. They like to live in forests, brushy areas, and farmland.
Images for kids
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Skull of a Virginia opossum
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The back foot has an opposable "thumb". Author Tony Alter. License CC BY 4.0.
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Opossum tracks (photo center) in mud: Left-fore print appears on left center of photo, right-hind print appears right center. The small, circular tracks at bottom center of photo were made by a meadow vole. The yellow ruler (top) is in inches.
See also
In Spanish: Didelphis virginiana para niños
