{"id":34630,"date":"2024-12-10T11:28:20","date_gmt":"2024-12-10T16:28:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/proanima.stagingsept24.com\/uncategorized\/learn-more-about-the-opossum\/"},"modified":"2024-12-10T11:28:20","modified_gmt":"2024-12-10T16:28:20","slug":"learn-more-about-the-opossum","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/proanima.stagingsept24.com\/en\/news\/tips\/learn-more-about-the-opossum\/","title":{"rendered":"Learn more about the opossum"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Due to climate change, we are seeing it more and more in our regions of Quebec and on our lands. The Virginia opossum ( Didelphis virginiana<\/em> ) is the only marsupial<\/a> in Canada. It belongs to one of the three families of marsupials native to the Americas. <\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Description<\/span><\/h3>\n
The Virginia opossum is about the size of a domestic cat. Its fur is grayish and rough, except for its face, which is whitish; the muzzle is long and pointed, the ears are round and bare, and the eyes are bulging. Its tail is similar to that of a rat and is prehensile, meaning that it can grasp objects and serve as a “fifth limb” in climbing. <\/div>\n

Reproduction<\/span><\/h3>\n
Normally, the female has one or two litters per year, but she can have three if the climate is suitable. All marsupial<\/a> young are born in a larval state after a short gestation period, which lasts 11 to 13 days in the Virginia opossum. At birth, the young are about the size of a dime, are hairless and blind. After about two months, the young emerge from the pouch for short periods, where the mother carries them on her back. After the third month, they are fully weaned and independent. <\/div>\n
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Food and shelter<\/span><\/h3>\n
Studies show that the opossum’s diet and habitat are very similar to those of the raccoon<\/a> . Both species are omnivorous and opportunistic, feeding on a variety of plant and animal matter. They have also become accustomed to scavenging in human garbage. Conflicts between them appear to be limited, apparently due to differences in food preferences and foraging times. The opossum feeds on creatures commonly found in backyards: beetles<\/a> , spiders, crickets, snails, and slugs. <\/div>\n
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Interesting facts <\/span><\/h3>\n<\/div>\n
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