Pennsylvania Animals: Opossum

(Dedelphis marsupialis)

A Dedelphis marsupialis looks like a rat but bigger. An opossum can grow in North America to be two feet and five inches long. An opossum's colors are white and black and pinkish and gray. One of the most interesting things about the opossum is that it is the only mammal in North America with a pouch - a marsupial. An opossum sleeps most of the day. Two of its predators are a fox and a dog. They eat fruit and grasses and reptiles and nuts and small animals. This is how a Dedelphis marsupialis protects itself. When an opossum sees danger it lies down on the ground and lets the animal throw it up into the air. Then the other animal leaves and the opossum looks up and leaves too. It is a very good climber. It lives in forests. by Keith

PA Animals 96-97

PA Animals 95-96