[Didelphis virginiana]
The Virginia Opossum is not just the only Opossum that is native to North America, it's the only Marsupial that is native to North America! A group of them is called a Posse of 'Possum! I usually see them late at night, as they are nocturnal animals.
Opossum are known for playing dead when being provoked, but with enough threatening, an Opossum can go into an almost coma-like state, with it's mouth open, tongue hanging out and all. This "playing possum" coma can last up to four hours!
Virginia Opossum can be as small as 21 inches or as large as 56 inches from their nose to their fur-less, prehensile tail! They have white faces, hairless ears, long snouts and grayish-brown coats. They have five "toes" on each very hand-like paw. Jacks and Jills (males and females) look alike.
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