By Josie April 6th, 2023
Possums are small and sneaky marsupials native to North America.
We're about to determine their lifespan, and the many factors that affect their longevity.
They are typically about the size of a house cat.
Their body is covered in fur, they have a pointed snout, and a naked and prehensile tail.
Possums typically live in hollowed out logs, rocky crevices, and in the branches of trees.
They are adept climbers and don’t mind making a home high up in trees.
In North America, they are most common in the southeastern states.
They can be found globally in tropical, subtropical, and temperate climates.
Bet you didn’t know that they are even found on some Caribbean islands!
They’re opportunistic feeders and will eat whatever they can get their paws on.
Commonly eaten foods include small mammals, birds, eggs, insects, fruits, vegetables, and fungi.
In the wild, possums only live for 1-2 years.
Possums living in captivity face far less danger, if any, and live for 4 years at most.
– Competition for food and resources – Exposure to harsh weather – Predation by other animals - Vehicle collisions
- Providing them with a large enclosure with engaging activities.
- Feeding them a well-rounded diet.
- Avoiding stressful situations e.g loud noises.
Possums are famous for their unique self-defense mechanism -playing dead.
This behavior is known as “playing possum,” a form of involuntary, coma-like state of shock.
When a possum plays dead, it will become stiff, close its eyes and mouth, and secrete a foul-smelling liquid from its anus.