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Opossums on Long Island. Virginia Opossums are North America’s only marsupial, this means they have a pouch to carry around their offspring until they are old enough to move around on their own. They have long prehensile tails they use to grip and balance while climbing.
Here are some fascinating facts about these shy, gentle mammals — North America’s only pouch-bearing marsupial and a major tick destroyer. Opossums aren’t possums. While the word “possum” is commonly used in English-speaking North America to refer to opossums, the latter inhabit Australia.
An opossum in your yard should not be a problem, as they are not aggressive or destructive and do not attack or threaten pets or dig burrows. They are beneficial to humans because they feed on many types of insects, like crickets and beetles, as well as on mice and voles.
So how did such a reserved wildlife species find its way to the bustling streets of New York City in the first place? Though the name “Virginia opossum” suggests they are confined to a very specific area, they can be found along the east coast and in some areas of Mexico, Central America, and southeastern Canada.
2 lut 2013 · Opossums are truly unique among our local wild mammals. Unfortunately Long Islanders are probably most familiar with them as road kill, observed belly up along our busy roadsides.
Opossums. One of the most fascinating creatures to share Long Island with us is the Virginia Opossum. These nocturnal creatures occupy a special ecological niche as North America’s only marsupial. Although we may only rarely catch a glimpse of a live ‘possum, they are well adapted to rural and suburban life and are quite common.
3 sie 2011 · North America is home to millions of Virginia opossums, but for a creature so commonly found in backyards and along roadways, this nocturnal marsupial is the subject of many myths and...
