 Opossums 8888Opossums are another type of pond mammal. They originated in Virginia. That's where they get their name. Their natural habitat is usually anywhere with a body of water. 8888There is a rumor spreading that they hang by their tails and sleep, but their tail is too weak to hold them for that long. They also have thumbs but only on their rear feet. *****Opossums do not hibernate in the winter. They take the risk of getting frostbite on their hairless ears, toes, and tail. *****A mother opossum can have up to 25 babies, but they usually have 7 or 8 babies. Their babies are as small as a navy bean when they are born. Opossums have pouches like kangaroos and they carry food to their babies. Babies will stay in the pouch for 55-60 days. Females will have 3 litters a year. *****Opossums use their keen sense of smell to locate food. They are omnivorous, so they eat many things, like fruits, insects, and other small animals. These animals like garbage and dead animals. They are one of the smallest mammals at the pond. Opossums are 25-40 inches long and weigh 8-13 pounds. These mammals have 50 teeth-more than any mammal in North America. They have short black and white underfur covered by white, coarse guardhair. Their tails are mainly hairless and black. These are some interesting facts about opossums.
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