Report an Opossum Sighting
| Fact Sheet |
| Scientific Name |
Didelphis virginiana |
| Description |
A small to medium-sized furbearer with short legs, pointed face, and a distinctive long prehensile tail. Their tail, ears, and paws are nearly hairless making them poorly-suited to extreme northern climates. |
| Total Length |
22-34 inches |
| Weight |
3-10 pounds |
| Color |
Fur is long and color is variable, but generally gray or brownish black with white underfur and a white face. Lower legs and feet are typically black. |
| Habitat and Range |
Opossums are found in a wide range of habitats, but most commonly in deciduous woodlands near water sources such as streams or marshlands. They are occasionally known to inhabit grasslands and agricultural areas. They are not common in North Dakota and most reports have come from the southeast corner of the state along the Red River Valley up to Hillsboro. |
| Food |
Opossums are omnivorous and have a wide-ranging diet including plants, insects, birds, carrion, and small mammals. |
| Reproduction |
Gestation lasts about 12 days before newborns spend 2 months growing in the mother’s pouch. Average litter size is 8-9 but can be as high as 17. Breeding season is from February to November. |
| Fun Facts |
Opossums are the only marsupial species found in North America. |
