Virginia Opossum

Didelphis virginiana

The Virginia Opossum is a pouched mammal, like the kangaroos of Australia, giving birth to tiny hairless babies that live inside a pouch on the mother's belly before they are able to go out into the world. When frightened, opossums go into a trance and appear dead; this is called "playing possum."

Look For : A gray, furry, ratlike animal with a long hairless tail and a white face with a long snout.

Length : Body 15-19" long, tail 10-21" long; 4-14 lb.

Habitat : Farmlands, woodlands, and suburbs.

Range : Most of eastern half of U.S. Also along West Coast from British Columbia south to Baja California and east into central Idaho.