Didelphis marsupialis

What "kin" to kangaroos and koalas lives in North Carolina? The Virginia Opossum, which is the only marsupial found in the United States. Like other marsupials, when the young are born they crawl through their mothers fur to her pouch where they find a nipple. After about 80 days they will begin to leave the pouch briefly. As they become more independent they alternate between riding in the pouch and clinging to the fur on their mother's back. This nocturnal mammal averages about 28 inches long and 4-5 pounds, and has a total of 50 teeth, more than any other North American land mammal. They have prehensile tails and the first digit on their foot functions somewhat like a thumb. Opossums can be found in a wide variety of habitats including wooded areas and suburban settings. They are shy and secretive and will usually attempt to escape when attacked. If all else fails they will "play possum" and feign death. They are eaten by many carnivorous mammals and birds but automobiles may be their main enemy.

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