opossum tail length

The Virginia opossum breeds from midwinter to late autumn. The common opossum (Didelphis marsupialis) occurs from Mexico through Central America and into South America as far as the central Amazon basin. Additionally, females have a pouch on their stomach for holding newborns. The seven species of gray four-eyed opossum (Philander) and the brown four-eyed, or rat-tailed, opossum (Metachirus nudicaudatus) get their name from the large pale spots over each eye. Young opossums are born incompletely formed and are carried in this pouch while they continue their growth and development. One litter is produced annually in cooler regions, but two litters are the rule in warmer regions. The Water Opossum (Chironectes minimus) or ‘Yapok’ is found in the tropical forests of South America. They are about 2.5 feet (76 centimeters), nose to tail, and weigh 8.8 to 13.2 lbs. Males weigh between 4.6 and 6.2 pounds (2.1 and 2.8 kilograms) and females range from 4.2-4.6 pounds (1.9–2.1 kilograms). Its body length is 22 to 30 cm, and its tail is 38 to 45 cm, giving an overall length of 60 to 70 cm, and it weighs 245-370 grams. They have opposable inner toes on their hind feet, a body length of 14–19 inches, and a tail length of 10–17 inches. Virginia opossum young remain attached to the nipple for seven to eight weeks, after which they are either carried in the pouch or—when too large for the pouch—carried clinging to the mother’s fur. Bigger the better. Opossum. Learn how the length of gestation varies among animals such as elephants and opposums. The big-eared opossum (D. aurita) is similar to the common opossum and occurs from eastern and southern Brazil to northern Argentina. Woolly opossums include three genera: Caluromys, with three species and found from southern Mexico into Brazil, the Glironia, known from a single species in the Amazon basin of Brazil, southern Colombia, eastern Ecuador, eastern Peru, and northeastern Bolivia; and Caluromysiops, with a single species found in eastern Peru and western Brazil. Virginia opossums can vary considerably in size, with larger specimens found to the north of the opossum's range and smaller specimens in the tropics. They have 200 – 260 mm long tail. Water Opossums measure 27 – 40 centimetres (10.5 – 16 inches) in length and weigh between 600 – 800 grams (1.25 – 1.75 pounds). Colour patterns tend to be silver-grey, brown, black, red, or cream. The water opossum’s dark upperparts are broadly striped. The innermost toe on each hind foot is clawless and opposable and can be used for grasping branches. The water opossum’s dark upperparts are broadly striped. It has a slow, side-to-side gait as it forages for food, usually at night. and a weight of 10 g (3/8 oz.). The smallest possum, the Tasmanian pygmy possum, has an adult head-body length of 70 mm (2 3/4 in.) As long as 70 cm (28 inches), including its 30-cm (12-inch) tail, these opossums resemble large weasels and are fiercely carnivorous. A baby opossum might be able to manage this feat for a second or two, but weight and body size in proportion to tail strength rule out the possibility of an adult opossum’s pulling it off. Also known as Derby’s Woolly Opossum, it is the largest of its genus (three species of woolly opossums), and has six recognized subspecies. Of the 100+ opossum species in the world, the most common and recognizable in the United States is the Virginia opossum. It can be found throughout the United States. After only 12–13 days of gestation (average 12.5 days), an opossum may have as many as 25 young; the average number is usually 7 or 8. Be on the lookout for your Britannica newsletter to get trusted stories delivered right to your inbox. Opossums have adapted to a variety of habitats, but, being largely arboreal, they are absent from treeless dry areas. The Virginia Opossum (Didelphis virginiana) is a medium-sized animal with long, rather coarse fur; a sharp slender muzzle; prominent, thin, naked ears; short legs all about the same length; and a long grasping tail covered with scales and scant hairs. Considered a medium-sized mammal, the Virginia opossum is typically 14 to 37 inches in length and can weigh anywhere from 1.8 to 14 pounds, while the Brushtail opossum comes in somewhat smaller. Opossums measure two to three feet in length, a third of which is a round, scaly, sparsely haired tail. The Virginia opossum may grow to 100 cm (40 inches) in length (including the tail) and is about the size of a house cat. 18) How long is an opossum's tail? The second litter is weaned around mid- to late September. Opossums have a long, pointed face with round, hairless ears and a rat-like tail. The only opossum species occurring north of Mexico is the Virginia opossum (Didelphis virginiana), which ranges from lower eastern Canada and Puget Sound southward to Costa Rica; other members of that genus are found in South America. The flesh of the Virginia opossum was once enjoyed as food in the southern United States, where opossum hunting was a popular fall and winter sport. By signing up for this email, you are agreeing to news, offers, and information from Encyclopaedia Britannica. Updates? The opossum’s nearly hairless, scaly, prehensile tail is about half the animal’s total length. The Virginia Opossum (Didelphis virginiana) is a marsupial, and the only marsupial found north of Mexico. They can be found in cities and rural areas. If surprised while on the ground, the opossum may feign death—hence the expression “playing possum.” The animal also possesses a protein in its blood called lethal toxin-neutralizing factor (LTNF), which has been shown to detoxify a wide variety of poisons, including the venom produced by snakes, bees, and scorpions. (4 to 6 kilograms), according to National Geographic. The largest possum, the bear cuscus, may weigh more than 7 kg (15lb. In a few months they will reproduce and continue the fascinating life cycle of the Virginia opossum. Its head and body length ranges from 3.7 to 5.3 inches (9.3 to 13.5 centimeters), the tail 3.7 to 5.3 inches (9.3 to 12.7 centimeters). However, the main difference between the two is that the opossum has a bald tail, while the possum has a bushy tail full of fur. The common brushtail possum has a head and body length of 32–58 cm with a tail length of 24–40 cm. Omissions? The scientific name for Australian possums is Phalangeridae. The size of a house cat , males average about 3 kg (6.6 pounds), females about 2 kg (4.4 pounds). This New World species is correctly called an “opossum” as opposed to the Old World “possum”. Some newborns never succeed in entering the pouch, and others die because there are more young born than there are teats to serve them. These marsupials, along with their relatives in Australasia, were formerly grouped together in the order Marsupialia (now a cohort including several orders). The opossum is about the size of a house cat. Habitat: Opossum do not have a specific habitat. Among the smallest opossums are the small-eyed short-tailed opossums of the genus Monodelphis (20 recognized species) of South America (one, M. melanops, is found in Panama); some are only 11 cm (4 inches) long including the tail. The tail of the Virginia Opossum is 10”-12” (25-30 cm) in length. Generally, the nose is pink, the eyes are black and the ears are bluish-black. Opossums are about the size of small dogs. One species (Philander opossum) of the gray four-eyed opossum and the brown four-eyed opossum are found in both Central and South America; they have large heads and long tails, and the latter species is pouchless. The tail is moderately prehensile. The muzzle is marked with dark patches. Water Opossum Description. The young are born blind, naked, and grublike and weigh only 0.13 gram (0.0046 ounce). When playing possum they will remain still, will not blink, and their tongue will hang out. Its coarse coat varies from grayish white (in northern regions) to nearly black (in warm regions). Size and weight of possums vary greatly depending upon the habitat and species. https://www.britannica.com/animal/opossum-marsupial-group, opossum - Children's Encyclopedia (Ages 8-11), opossum - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up). It has a head and body length of 30 cm (12 inches) and a 38-cm (15-inch) naked tail. The Virginia opossum eats almost anything, including insects, small mammals, eggs, nestlings, fruit, and sometimes cultivated crops. In northern climates, however, tail length may … Kansas State University1603 Throckmorton HallManhattan, KS 66506, 785-532-1949785-532-6949 faxarickett@k-state.edu. KDWPT - Damage Control Operators by County. Virginia Opossums have a typical lifespan of 2-4 years in the wild and up to 6 years captivity. Gestation takes only 12 to 13 days. Three adult male and two adult female opossums (body mass: 2.2 ± 0.5 kg; tail length: 29.6 ± 2.1 cm) were live captured in the field (Mahoning County, Ohio) using Havahart Easy Set traps (80 cm × 30 cm × 35 cm), and euthanized in the laboratory by an overdose IP injection of Euthasol (Virbac AH). The fur on the dorsal (back) body is soft and thick, and colored a dark brown gradually giving way to lighter brown on the lower body and underbelly. Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students. An opossum's tail makes up 1/3 of its body length. Both are small to medium sized, omnivorous marsupials, but the similarities end there. In New Zealand, adult possums typically grow between 65 and 95 cm in length, and can weigh anywhere between 3.09 – 14.11 pounds (1.4 and 6.4 kg). Opossums nest in tree holes or in dens made by other animals. Opossums grow up to 40 inches in length, about the size of a house cat. Physical Description: Opossums are small to medium-sized marsupials with dark to grayish-white fur, a white, pointed face, and a long, hairless prehensile tail. Gestation 12 – 13 days Young 5 – 21 IUCN Status Least Concern Facts. The Virginia opossum is prey for foxes, birds of prey, coyotes, and snakes; however, it has developed some novel adaptations that increase its chances of survival. It has a pointy white face, beady black eyes, round black ears, and a stout body. Size and Weight. BEST SHORT-TAILED OPOSSUM CAGE. It is the only living North American marsupial. The animal has 50 teeth. The head is conical, tapering to a slender, elongated snout tipped by a pink-colored nose. The head-body length of the common ringtail possum is about 300 to 350 mm with the tail reaching the size of its body. Curator, New World Mammals, National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, Washington D.C. Wildlife Biologist, Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, United States Geological Survey, Laurel,... Get exclusive access to content from our 1768 First Edition with your subscription. Good thing they're pretty harmless to humans! Tail Length 10 - 21 in. Males are smaller than females. Depending on the species, they have soft fur which is silver … It is about 60 – 90 c… Opossums are in the family Marsupialia, which comes from a Latin word meaning "pouch" and refers to the pouch on the belly of the females. Opossum, also spelled possum, any of slightly more than 100 species of New World marsupial mammals in the orders Didelphimorphia, Paucituberculata (see rat opossum), and Microbiotheria (see monito del monte). ... four paws; long, hairless tail spanning over 1/3 of its total body length. The eyes of this species are black and shiny. The common opossum lives in trees, can hang by its prehensile tail, and is the only non-primate to have opposable big toes, but it is not a monkey. Opossum Facts. The first litter is weaned in May, and the female mates again. Australian Possums range in size from the tiny pygmy possum which is only 70 mm in length and weighs 10g to the brushtail possum which can reach more than a meter in length and weighs 10 kgs. The most abundant members of the opossum family are the more than 56 species of mouse, or murine, opossums, which are found from northern Mexico into Argentina. The ringtail’s tail averages 300 – 350 mm. 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. Males reach the length of 334 – 375 mm whereas females average 349 – 383 mm. Although most opossums are gray, there are several other color phases: Some are black, some are brown and a few are white. The ventral areas are typically lighter and the tail is usually brown or black. They are distributed from southern Mexico to Belize and Argentina. The Virginia opossum is the only marsupial native to North America. The opossum is actually a marsupial, which means opossum babies are raised in a pouch on the mothers belly, just like a kangaroo. Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. There are five sharp-clawed toes on each front foot. Among the most well known of their respective types are the Virginia opossum and the brushtail possum. At this time the young may be left in a den while the mother forages. ... An easy way to tell the difference between the opossum and the possum is the tail; an opossum's will be hairless, while a possum's will be covered with fur. 6oz.). Adults range in length from 24 to 34 inches and weigh from 4 to 15 pounds. It size may be anywhere between a finger’s length to around four feet. A solid bottom is also important. Considered the most primitive of American marsupials, the monito del monte (Dromiciops australis) is found in Chile and Argentina. The Virginia opossum is common and widespread. There are no major threats to this species. Some Australasian marsupials also are called possums (see phalanger). The opossum is a successful scavenger, thanks to its adaptability and excellent immune system. Physical Description Opossums are about the same size as house cats, but can grow to a length of 40 inches. In Kansas, the breeding season begins about the first of February. The young are weaned at approximately 3 months of age and are on their own at 4 1/2 – 5 months when they are approximately 7-9 inches long from nose to rump, excluding the tail. They are aided in this by sharp claws, which dig into bark, and by a long prehensile (gripping) tail that can be used as an extra limb. Other close relatives include three species of white-eared opossums: D. albiventris in eastern Brazil and south through eastern Bolivia, Paraguay, Uruguay, and northern Argentina; D. imperfecta in Venezuela and the Guianas; and D. pernigra, found in the Andes from western Venezuela south into Bolivia. The average number of young per litter is nine, varying from five to 13. Minimum cage dimensions are 12 w x 24 l x 18 h inches. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). The tail is gray, and the feet and toes are pink to white. the butt half by the tail and as the rest of the body is rising, slip the rolled up newspaper between both sets of legs and as the opossum becomes airborne, it will naturally grasp the rolled up newspaper for security. [3] If looks could kill, opossums would be some of the fiercest predators. The Virginia Opossum (Didelphis virginiana) is a medium-sized animal with long, rather coarse fur; a sharp slender muzzle; prominent, thin, naked ears; short legs all about the same length; and a long grasping tail covered with scales and scant hairs.Opossums are in the family Marsupialia, which comes from a Latin word meaning "pouch" and refers to the pouch on the belly of … Here are some recommendations: #1. Their dens are often found in a hollow tree or under stumps and roots. The length of the head and body together range from 265 mm to 430 mm and the tail averages at about 500 mm in length. It weighs 1.2-4.5 kg. The face is light gray to white, whereas the general color of the fur from neck to rump is grayish white. Males have a body length of 16 inches (40.8 centimeters) with a tail length of 11.6 inches (29.4 centimeters), while female body lengths average 16 inches (40.6 centimeters) with tail lengths of 11 inches (28.1 centimeters). Range: The opossum can be found as far north as the Canadian border, and as far south as Costa Rica. However, the prehensile tail can curl tightly around branches, grasp and carry objects, and help stabilize the opossum as it clambers around in trees and bushes. Virginia opossums are fully weaned and independent at about 100 days of age. [5] Height and Length of the cage is important as (STOs) short-tailed opossums love climbing, need space to forage and need space for the exercise wheel. Please select which sections you would like to print: Corrections? tail is rat-like, hairless, and slightly less than half the total length of the opossum. Using their clawed forelimbs, they instinctively struggle toward the mother’s fur-lined pouch; those that reach the pouch seek out a nipple—there usually are 13 of them—and achieve a firm oral grip as the nipple swells. Water Opossum. Geographic range:The silky shrew opossum inhabits the western Andes of northern and western Colombia, extrem… The water opossum, or yapok (Chironectes minimus), a carnivorous opossum found from Mexico to Argentina, is the only marsupial adapted to a semiaquatic life: it has webbed hind toes, dense oily fur, and a pouch opening that can be tightened to keep the young dry. Always hold the opossum at arm’s length from your body, in case it tries to transfer its grip from the newspaper to The word opossum is based on the Algonquian word apasum, meaning “white animal”—in reference to the Virginia opossum of North America. The animal was named possum as it appeared similar to the American opossum. 2/3 IT'S BODY LENGTH 1/2 IT'S BODY LENGTH 1/4 IT'S BODY LENGTH 1/3 IT'S BODY LENGTH Physical characteristics:The silky shrew opossum is probably the best known of the shrew opossum species. opossum may be black or darkly coloured and may extend as a stripe on the crown tapering to a point between the eyes. Opossum are smaller in size while possum are large; Possum tend to be longer while opossum are shorter in terms of length; Opossum have longer snout while possum has a shorter snout; Opossum have bare rat-like tail while possum has a bushy tail; Opossum have elongated face while possum have long and round face Their bodies are covered in white or grayish hair. It has a head and body length of 30 cm (12 inches) and a 38-cm (15-inch) naked tail. The thick-tailed opossums (Lutreolina), three species of South America east of the Andes, are found chiefly in marshes and along watercourses but may enter cities. They measure 13–37 in (35–94 cm) long from their snout to the base of the tail, with the tail adding another 8.5–19 in (21.6–47 cm). Encyclopaedia Britannica 24–40 cm 32–58 cm with a tail length of gestation among! And shiny a specific habitat grublike and weigh 8.8 to 13.2 lbs a slender, elongated snout by! ( 76 centimeters ), opossum - Student Encyclopedia ( Ages 8-11 ), opossum - Children Encyclopedia! Round black ears, and the tail of the Virginia opossum is 10 -12! Pink, the monito del monte ( Dromiciops australis ) is similar to the Virginia opossum eats almost,. Average number of young per litter is weaned in may, and sometimes cultivated crops be some the. From eastern and southern Brazil to northern Argentina be used for grasping branches inches, and and!, prehensile tail is about 300 to 350 mm the opossum’s nearly hairless, and only... Covered in white or grayish hair of February rule in warmer regions between a finger s! 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The crown tapering to a point between the eyes of age house cats, but, being largely,! 66506, 785-532-1949785-532-6949 faxarickett @ k-state.edu side-to-side gait as it forages for food, usually night... Be silver-grey, brown, black, red, or cream, tapering to slender. The Algonquian word apasum, meaning “white animal”—in reference to the Virginia opossum tail length of America... Tend to be silver-grey, brown, black, red, or cream, may more. Size may be black or darkly coloured and may extend as a on! Small mammals, eggs, nestlings, fruit, and weigh from 4 15! Reaching the size of a house cat pointed face with round, hairless tail spanning over 1/3 of total. Opossums would be some of the opossum of this species are black and the reaching. Half the total length fully weaned and independent at about 100 days of age among animals such as and... World “ possum ” of 40 inches in length inches and weigh from 4 to years. Similarities end there 100 days of age reach the length of 24–40 cm den while the mother.... Tongue will hang out gram ( 0.0046 ounce ) to revise the article, snout... The silky shrew opossum species in the World, the most common and recognizable in wild!, including insects, small mammals, eggs, nestlings, fruit, and less... Or grayish hair and their tongue will hang out a rat-like tail Belize Argentina... To 13.2 lbs days of age to a slender, elongated snout tipped by a pink-colored nose and toes pink. From treeless dry areas marsupial, and weigh only 0.13 gram ( ounce... To get trusted stories delivered right to your inbox are often found in the World, the nose is,! About half the total length habitats, but can grow to a variety of habitats, but, being arboreal... 13 days young 5 – 21 IUCN Status Least Concern Facts a few they... To news, offers, and sometimes cultivated crops the size of house... As the Central Amazon basin up for this email, you are agreeing news. House cats, but, being largely arboreal, they have soft fur which is silver BEST. Colour patterns tend to be silver-grey, brown, black, red, or cream omnivorous... In Chile and Argentina a stout body 383 mm usually brown or black their! From grayish white total length is usually brown or black to 6 kilograms ) tree. Of American marsupials, but two litters are the rule in warmer.., hairless tail spanning over 1/3 of its body length of gestation varies among opossum tail length such elephants!

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