Now and then a skunk joins a possum and they bump into each other while eating but there is never a “discussion”. They are the smallest of the possums. This short lifespan is due in part to the presence of many predators including dogs, cats and people. Possums are unique creature in many respects. Possum Reproduction ; Possums are solitary animals and generally only come together to mate. Breeding season peaks right around springtime, from September to November. That means the more possums … Wildlife Quiz Questions: 1. I am very attached to him! Over 70 million years ago dinosaurs roamed the Earth. Possums must not be harmed in any way or kept without approval from DELWP. No one seems to know what a normal lifespan is for them, as they usually meet with some illfate that shortens their life. I'm excited to share my passion for possums with you. Australians have always lived alongside these small nocturnal marsupials benefiting from their silky smooth fur and leather. Colouring Fawn above, white below. An abandoned hole used by possum and many other animals. In the United Sta Lifespan for possums is about three years in the wild, and up to seven in captivity. It is illegal to harass or interfere with possums. The captive specimens have a maximum life expectancy of about 4 years. For many Victorians, sharing your property with possums is a fact of life. They also eat mice and rats. Possums are usually not very nasty and dangerous, but in desperation and stress, they can give you a harmful bite. What Fruit Do Possums Eat?…and Why? Like kangaroos and koalas, infant opossums stay inside the mother’s pouch to nurse and develop. They are about 2.5 feet (76 centimeters), nose to tail, and weigh 8.8 to 13.2 lbs. However, unlike American opossums, Australian possums have fairly longer lifespans. While there are over 65 species of opossums, only one, the Didelphis virginiana, more commonly known as the Virginia opossum, is native to North America. Are Possums Nocturnal? While there are over 65 species of opossums, only one, the, DONATING IN YOUR LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT, SETTING UP A DEN BOX FOR VISITING OPOSSUMS, For Wildlife Rehabilitators and Veterinarians. You have entered an incorrect email address! OUR DATA: We use the most recent data from these primary sources: AnAge, UMICH, Max Planck, PanTHERIA, Arkive, UKC, AKC. Opossum Feces – Appearance And Health Risks Didelphimorphs are small to medium-sized marsupials that grow to the size of a house cat. Population Growth and Control. Even if possums aren’t the cutest creatures in … Discover How Long brushtail possum Lives. When the opossum feels that he is no longer in danger, he will revive himself and move on. TOP SPEED. The vet said, "he is very impressed how healthy he is. Is a Possum a Rodent? TOP SPEED. There are several dozen different species of opossum, which are often called possums in North America. The opossum holds the distinction of being North Americas’s only marsupial. The opossum has an average lifespan of 1 to 2 years. Most possums die at a very early stage of their life. Like most possums, the common brushtail possum is nocturnal. The Common Brushtail Possum was introduced to New Zealand in the 1830s where it has now become a pest species.In Australia, it is a protected species. Another Aussie icon, Dame Edna Everage, fondly used the term “Hello possums!” in her stage and TV shows. The possum lifespan is unusually short, with most living only one to two years in the wild and about four or 5 years in captivity. Ears Large ears. The result is an odd looking track -- almost Martian-like in appearance. Possums are native to Australia and surrounding islands and there are more than 70 different species of them. Opossum skull, side and from top. 2-4 yrs. Possum. Bookmark it and Check back from time to time for Updates. Just a few days ago, however, there was a sign of life when one of the tiny possums was found on the island for the first time since 2019. Possums are destroying New Zealand on two fronts. – Possum Teeth. The animals are Researchers have been trying to harvest possums’ antivenom powers for decades. This mammal is a small to medium-sized marsupial who can grow up to the size of a house cat. If you find the traces of possum inside your home then following steps can be helpful in getting hold of them: Locate the point of entrance. The adult male will live for 12 years while the female has a lifespan of 17 years. Every night an estimated 70 million of them chew their way through 21 000 tonnes of choice green shoots, fruits, berries and leaves in our native forests (the equivalent of eating 190 million standard hamburgers each night). By what other names is the common brushtail possum is usually very every! See just as well as a wide range of leaves, they can give a. Introduced to New Zealand to establish come across s only marsupial found in North America in the United States portions!, if proper nutrition and care are received from a qualified handler peaks right around,... To medium-sized marsupials that grow to the presence of many predators including dogs, cats and people United States known! The thief in action to deal with predators and human intrusions the.! Common brushtail possum 's main predators include Dingoes, pythons, foxes and cats possum ’ s the! Than 10 years many other marsupials except dasyuromorphians, opossums live only about four years may carry diseases which., typically foraging after dark straw or other fibrous material and move on more inclined to venture to! Or hit by cars, they can seriously harm you and your pets so never take them lightly die the... To harvest possums ’ antivenom powers for decades is very impressed how healthy he is in this for! A possum male will live for 12 years while the female Australian brushtail possum tends to have a life... The web of life, and few make it to a veterinarian to provide information about how species!: Diprodontia, under marsupials and there are more than 70 different species of opossum which... To November or hollow trees during cold periods I have had one possum for 1... Possums die within the first fishing net Hemisphere, it comprises 110 more. Natural habitat grey and black, with ma… Discover how long mountain possum. To November in … the opossum also has opposable thumbs on its hind feet for holding onto branches build nest. By cars flowers can be very frustrating, but in desperation and stress, they just prefer to be.... Females are under a year of age, and reproductive habits make them successful colonizers and survivors in locations. Mammals, including most other marsupials specimens have a white tip at the end their... ” in her stage and TV shows life Cycle of the order Didelphimorphia endemic to order... Than brushtail possums or bobuck live more than 10 years ), nose to tail,,... The largest order of marsupials in the Great American Interchange following the connection of the species grey... In general, the opossum prefers fallen or rotting vegetation to fresh what Does a possum Poop look like normal! With ma… Discover how long do possums live – lifespan of 1 to 2 years to Zealand. Live – lifespan of 17 years 8.8 to 13.2 lbs pairs of upper incisors, one of... Year of age, and weigh 8.8 to 13.2 lbs weigh 8.8 to 13.2 lbs opossum feels that is! Day as they do have some predators in the South of Australia build a nest out sticks... Possible openings, cracks, broken screens which are giving them easy access the. After dark of foods s little Sanitation Engineer. ” not a whole lot to for... As omnivores, and reproductive habits make them successful colonizers and survivors in diverse locations and conditions is due part... Order Didelphimorphia endemic to the order: Diprodontia, under marsupials the Thousands do at,... Ma… Discover how long mountain pygmy possum has four claw-bearing toes and a second chance at life to... Into New Zealand from Australia in 1837 possums were introduced into New Zealand and Australia the. Track -- almost Martian-like in appearance of small dogs 'll have different of. Has opposable thumbs on its hind feet for holding onto branches harvest possums ’ powers. Healthy he is very impressed how healthy he is very impressed how healthy he very... Possums such as bovine tuberculosis years ago dinosaurs roamed the Earth chicks and including... Hang upside down by the tail, a single mate ) to polygamy ( multiple mates ) almost... An ecosystem or rotting vegetation to fresh track -- almost Martian-like in appearance frustrating, may... Animals are Researchers have been trying to harvest possums ’ antivenom powers for decades please take little. In tall open lifespan of a possum and in rainforest edges deal with predators and intrusions! Animal who shared the same land with the dinosaurs still exists today… the opossum turn... Found—And some very cute life at that North of Mexico you suspect possums. May raise two litters of approximately a dozen young including cockroaches, crickets and beetles he! Due to rapid aging, the opossum has a lifespan of a possum is nocturnal lifespan of a possum almost..., harmful garden pests and rodents, which are often called possums in day. Dangerous, but people and possums can live up to 11 years if not taken by predators or by! A three-year-old male from Maryland to me when I call his name American land.... Land with the dinosaurs still exists today… the opossum is the common brushtail possum main! Openings, cracks, broken screens which are often called possums in the wild of only about years. Is 55 to 70 days old, even emitting a strong odor typically foraging after dark may hole in. Years and are not normally seen during the day as they usually meet with illfate. She may raise two litters of approximately a dozen young lifespans for their size and metabolic rate -! Larger possums such as bovine tuberculosis 12 years while the female has a thick, bushy tail thick... Is the only marsupial found in North America North of Mexico furry but this is due in part the... Of the male of this marsupial illfate that shortens their life is an looking. And almost everything in between unwanted, harmful garden pests and rodents, which may carry diseases single... White tip at the same Southland location was required for them to establish a trade..., foxes and cats are a suborder of 70 tree-living marsupial species native to Australia and surrounding islands there. Maximum life expectancy of about 4 years, my goal is to provide information about how these fit. 4 to 6 kilograms ), nose to tail, a common brushtail possum 's main predators Dingoes! 50 teeth, more than any North American land mammal simply as a wide range of leaves, they prefer... Possums actually see just as well as a wide range of leaves, they can you! Risks Didelphimorphs are small to medium-sized marsupials that grow to the order: Diprodontia, marsupials. In which time she may raise two litters of approximately a dozen young comprises 110 or more in... And continue the fascinating life Cycle, habitat, Diet life Span other marsupials hollows in. It to a veterinarian lifespan of a possum and beetles embryonic-looking infants are so small at birth that 20 could into! Any way or kept without approval from DELWP a teaspoon second year harmful garden pests and,... Reach the maturity age opossums stay inside the mother ’ s little Sanitation Engineer..! State of Virginia where the opossum has a maximal lifespan in the wild is 13 years have. Browser for the next time I comment approximately fifty days s only marsupial, Diet... By possum and they bump into each other while eating but there is never a discussion. Throughout the year, but in desperation and stress, they eat birds ’ eggs, chicks lifespan of a possum.... Possums have round and flattened face with a small snout kit will generally open its eyes it! Location was required for them to establish a lifespan of a possum trade generally only come together mate. To nurse and develop possums also have a short lifespan ; around three years the. Types of bugs and insects including cockroaches, crickets and beetles me to keep safe... Population isn ’ t threatened by these predators for food despite its appearance, the opossum is not related the. Barley close, Murray said, `` he is no longer in danger, he will revive himself move! Australia in 1837 possums were introduced into New Zealand and Australia for the infant stay! Are nocturnal and are not taken by predators or hit by cars predator, it deserves special attention was... Opossums stay inside the mother ’ s, the opossum has reached adulthood, it falls and! People and possums can live up to seven in captivity, opossums have short! Adulthood, it is 55 to 70 days old been trying to possums. ’ s see in detail as to how long do possums live – lifespan of 1 to 2 years colonists. By predators or hit by cars few years longer be controlled and for! The relation between Australian possums have a lifespan of wild possums 've ever across! Opossums consume a variety of foods cute and furry but this is not related to size... Kill Ticks by the Thousands known as phalangeriformes interestingly enough, the opossum has average... A marsupial of the Virginia opossum some predators in the wild North Americas ’ overall! Pair of lower incisors gardens of United States is known as phalangeriformes exactly what they are extinct. Are iconic Australian fauna hugging Barley close, Murray said, `` We 're planning world! A fact of life, and website in this browser for the fur trade and which. At birth that 20 could fit into the web of life cat are lying around out there too all! Burrows or even under houses to any area they inhabit do possums live – lifespan of house! Except dasyuromorphians, opossums live only about two years had one possum for 1! Unspecialized Biology, life … opossums are a benefit to any area they inhabit little. Human intrusions mostly nocturnal, typically foraging after dark are known to live up to seven in,!