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an illustrated knowledgebase helping connect local folks & local nature in Delaware County, IN
Meet NA's only Marsupial
The Virginia opossum (Didelphis virginiana)
is North America's ONLY marsupial –
& they're native to Indiana!
Conservation Status:
least concern
Find a nearby, permitted wildlife rehabilitator here.
Virginia opossum (Didelphis virginiana)
SCIENTIFIC CLASSIFICATION
Kingdom:
Phylum:
Subphylum:
Class:
Subclass:
Infraclass:
Order:
Family:
Genus:
Species:
Animalia [animals]
Chordata [chordates]
Vertebrata [vertebrates]
Mammalia [mammals]
Theria [live-bearing mammals]
Metatheria [marsupial mammals]
Didelphimorphia [American marsupials]
Didelphidae [American opossums and opossums]
Didelphis [common opossums]
Didelphis virginiana [Virginia opossum]
ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE TO LOCAL COMMUNITIES
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free pest & animal control by eating pesky insects, rodents, & carrion (roadkill)
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natural seed dispersers
HABITAT
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forests – woodlands & wetlands near riparian areas (streams, swamps)
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human structures
THREATS
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cars (humans)
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predators (dogs, cats, coyotes, foxes, owls)
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habitat loss (fragmentation, deforestation)
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climate change (severe & frequent changes in weather patterns)
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pollutants (use of pesticides & herbicides)
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harmful myths and misinformation (opossums do NOT carry rabies!)
DIET
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omnivores
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feeds on a wide variety of prey; an adaptable, opportunistic feeder
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consumes carrion (roadkill)
TRAITS
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50 teeth (more than any other Indiana mammal!)
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nocturnal (active at night)
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black, hairless ears with white or pink tips
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scaly, hairless tails
(OPE!) CHECK BACK LATER FOR MORE INFO
Hi there! I'm working on new opossum illustrations to help us learn more species facts. Until then, find & download the coloring page here!
And, visit the resources + helpful links below I used to keep learning:
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