Table of Contents
How big is the largest possum?
The average opossum weighs about 5-6 pounds, with males weighing more than females. The world-record opossum tipped the scales at 15.4 pounds.
How much does a male opossum weigh?
On average, the Virginia opossum ranges from 13 to 37 inches in length from nose to the base of the tail, with a tail adding another 8 to 19 inches of length. Males weight between 1.7 and 14 pounds, while females weigh between 11 ounces and 8.2 pounds.
What’s the lifespan of a possum?
Virginia opossum: 4 years
Common opossum: 2 years
Opossum/Lifespan
Where do possums stay during the day?
They are generally nocturnal and they spend the day in hollow tree trunks, rock crevices, under brush piles, or in burrows. They are excellent climbers and good swimmers. Opossums also spend a lot of time slowly ambling about on the ground, and as a result they are frequently struck by cars.
How many teeth does an opossum have?
50
Opossums are more afraid of you than you are of them, trust me. Opossums have 50 sharp teeth in their mouths, which is more teeth than any other mammal in the U.S. If a predator approaches, they’ll open their mouths nice and wide to show those teeth off, hoping to scare that predator away!
Where does a possum sleep at night?
>> Virginia opossums are nocturnal (most active at night). They sleep during the day in a den in a hollow tree or in an abandoned rodent burrow.
What is the average weight of a possum?
Opossums are about the size of small dogs. They are about 2.5 feet (76 centimeters), nose to tail, and weigh 8.8 to 13.2 lbs.
Where do opossums like to live?
Opossums are most likely to make habitats in mesic and arid environments. They fancy living in woodlands, wet habitats, swamps, and thickets near streams. Opossums are somewhat opportunistic hunters and they have also adapted to surviving in different habitats.
Can opossums be pets?
Short-tailed opossums have grown in popularity as an exotic pet. They are very good pets for beginners because of their cleanliness, omnivorous diet, and general good health. These opossums are small, generally friendly creatures with easy care requirements, and they certainly are cute!
How do you keep opossums away?
Keep Possums Away. If opossums (aka possums) are a problem in your yard, mix together camphor oil with enough petroleum jelly to make a paste, and spread it around the base of trees. The smell should keep them away.