Virginia Opossum

(Didelphis virginiana)

Opossums are marsupials, and can vary greatly in size (2-5 feet in length), with more teeth (50) than any North American mammal. Like other marsupials, the opossum has few natural defenses, save for the infamous possuming, or playing dead.

Where: Widespread throughout the eastern US and Mexico, opossums??the only North American marsupial??are a reminder that Australia and the Americas were once connected. Introduced to the US west coast during the depression, they are well-adapted to suburban developed areas.