Opossum 70674 223368751 2008-07-03T19:46:10Z DavidOaks 990904 restored unexplained deletion; evidence of ongoing food use {{for|the Eastern Hemisphere marsupial|possum}} {{Taxobox | name = Didelphimorphia<ref name=msw3>{{MSW3 Gardner|pages=3-18}}</ref> | fossil_range = [[Late Cretaceous]] - Recent | image = Opossum_04_13_2007.jpg | image_caption = [[Virginia Opossum]] ''Didelphis virginiana'' | regnum = [[Animal]]ia | phylum = [[Chordate|Chordata]] | classis = [[Mammal]]ia | infraclassis = [[Marsupial]]ia | ordo = '''Didelphimorphia''' | ordo_authority = [[Theodore Nicholas Gill|Gill]], 1872 | familia = '''Didelphidae''' | familia_authority = [[John Edward Gray|Gray]], 1821 | subdivision_ranks = [[Genus|Genera]] | subdivision = Several; see [[#Classification|text]] }} '''Didelphimorphia''' is the [[order (biology)|order]] of '''common opossums''' of the [[Western Hemisphere]]. Opossums probably diverged from the basic [[South America]]n [[marsupial]]s in the late [[Cretaceous]] or early [[Paleocene]]. A sister group is ''[[Shrew opossum|Paucituberculata]]'' ([[shrew opossum]]s). They are commonly also called ''possums'', though that term is also applied to [[Australia]]n fauna of the suborder [[Phalangeriformes]]. The [[Virginia Opossum]] is the original animal named ''opossum''. The word comes from [[Algonquian]] ''wapathemwa''. Colloquially, the Virginia opossum is frequently called simply ''possum''. Their unspecialized biology, flexible diet and reproductive strategy make them successful colonizers and survivors in unsettled times. Originally native to the eastern United States, the [[Virginia Opossum]] was intentionally introduced into the West during the [[Great Depression]], probably as a source of food. Its range has been expanding steadily northwards, thanks in part to more plentiful, man-made sources of fresh water, increased shelter due to urban encroachment, and milder winters. Its range has extended into [[Ontario]], Canada, and it has been found farther north than [[Toronto]]. ==Characteristics== Didelphimorphs are small to medium-sized [[marsupial]]s, with the largest about the size of a large house [[cat]], and the smallest the size of a [[mouse]]. They tend to be semi-[[arboreal]] [[omnivore]]s, although there are many exceptions. Most members of this [[taxon]] have long [[snout]]s, a narrow [[cranium|braincase]], and a prominent [[sagittal crest]]. The [[dental formula]] is: {{dentition2|5.1.3.4|4.1.3.4}} By [[mammal]] standards, this is a very full jaw. Opossums have more teeth than any land mammal; only aquatic mammals have more.{{fact|date=April 2008}} The incisors are very small, the canines large, and the molars are tricuspid. Didelphimorphs have a [[plantigrade]] stance (feet flat on the ground) and the hind [[foot|feet]] have an opposable digit with no [[claw]]. Like some [[primate]]s, opossums have [[prehensility|prehensile tails]]. The [[stomach]] is simple, with a small [[cecum]]. Opossums have a remarkably robust immune system, and show partial or total immunity to the venom of [[rattlesnake]]s, [[Agkistrodon piscivorus|cottonmouth]]s, and other [[Crotalinae|pit viper]]s.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wildliferescueleague.org/report/opossum.html|title=The Opossum: Our Marvelous Marsupial, The Social Loner|publisher=Wildlife Rescue League}}</ref><ref>[http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?pid=S0104-79301999000100005&script=sci_arttext Journal Of Venomous Animals And Toxins - Anti-Lethal Factor From Opossum Serum Is A Potent Antidote For Animal, Plant And Bacterial Toxins<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> Opossums are about eight times less likely likely to carry [[rabies]] than wild dogs, and about one in eight hundred opossums are infected with this virus.<ref>{{cite journal |author=Cantor SB, Clover RD, Thompson RF |title=A decision-analytic approach to postexposure rabies prophylaxis |journal=Am J Public Health |volume=84 |issue=7 |pages=1144–8 |year=1994 |month=July |pmid=8017541 |url=http://www.ajph.org/cgi/pmidlookup?view=long&pmid=8017541}}</ref> ===Reproduction and life cycle=== [[Image:Babiesinpouch2.jpg|thumb|right|Sleeping Virginia opossum with babies in her relaxed pouch]] Opossum [[reproductive system]]s are extremely basic{{fact|date=January 2008}}<!--Fairly normal for marsupials, isn't it?-->, with a reduced [[marsupium]]. This means that the young are born at a very early stage, although the [[gestation]] period is similar to many other small marsupials, at only 12-14 days.<ref name=EoM>{{cite book |editor=Macdonald, D.|author= O'Connell, Margaret A.|year=1984 |title= The Encyclopedia of Mammals|publisher= Facts on File|location=New York|pages= 830-837|isbn= 0-87196-871-1}}</ref> The [[species]] are moderately [[sexual dimorphism|sexually dimorphic]] with [[male]]s usually being somewhat larger than [[female]]s. The largest difference between the opossum and other mammals is the [[Bifurcation|bifurcated]] penis of the male and bifurcated vagina of the female (the source of the Latin "didelphis," meaning double-wombed). Female opossums often give birth to very large numbers of young, most of which fail to attach to a [[teat]], although as many as up to fifteen young can attach, and therefore survive, depending on species. The young are [[weaning|weaned]] between 70 and 125 days, when they detach from the teat and leave the pouch. The opossum lifespan is unusually short for a mammal of its size, usually only 2 to 4 years. [[Senescence]] is rapid.<ref>[http://www.opossum.org/facts.htm Opossum Facts<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> ===Diet=== Didelphimorphs are opportunistic [[omnivores]] with a very broad diet. Their diet mainly consists of [[carrion]] and many individual opossums are killed on the highway when scavenging for [[roadkill]]. They are also known to eat insects, frogs, birds, snakes, small mammals, and earthworms. Some of their favorite foods are fruits and they are known to eat apples and [[persimmon]]s. Their broad diet allows them to take advantage of many sources of food provided by human habitation such as unsecured food waste (garbage) and pet food. [[Image:Opossum fur.jpg|right|thumb|Opossum [[fur]] is quite soft.]] ===Behavior=== Opossums are usually solitary and nomadic, staying in one area as long as food and water are easily available. Some families will group together in pre-made burrows or even under houses. Though they will temporarily occupy abandoned burrows, they do not dig or put much effort into building their own. As nocturnal animals, they favor dark, secure areas. These areas may be below ground or above. [[Image:Didelphis marsupialis Cayenne French Guiana.JPG|right|thumb|''Didelphis marsupialis'': intrusion in human dwelling (French Guiana)]] When threatened or harmed, they will "[[wikt:play possum|play possum]]", mimicking the appearance and smell of a sick or dead animal. The lips are drawn back, teeth are bared, saliva foams around the mouth, and a foul-smelling fluid is secreted from the [[anal glands]]. The physiological response is involuntary, rather than a conscious act. Their stiff, curled form can be prodded, turned over, and even carried away. The animal will regain consciousness after a period of minutes or hours and escape. Many injured opossums have been killed by well-meaning people who find a catatonic animal and assume the worst. Adult opossums do not hang from trees by their tails, though babies may dangle temporarily. Their semi-prehensile tails are not strong enough to support a mature adult's weight. Instead, the opossum uses its tail as a brace and a fifth limb when climbing. The tail is occasionally used as a grip to carry bunches of leaves or bedding materials to the nest. A mother will sometimes carry her young upon her back, where they will cling tightly even when she is climbing or running. Threatened opossums (especially males) will growl deeply, raising their pitch as the threat becomes more urgent. Males make a clicking "smack" noise out of the side of their mouths as they wander in search of a mate, and females will sometimes repeat the sound in return. When separated or distressed, baby opossums will make a sneezing noise to signal their mother. If threatened, the baby will open its mouth in a silent hiss until the threat is gone. ==Historical references== An early description of the opossum comes from explorer [[John Smith of Jamestown|John Smith]], who wrote in ''Map of Virginia, with a Description of the Countrey, the Commodities, People, Government and Religion'' in 1608 that "An Opassom hath an head like a Swine, and a taile like a Rat, and is of the bignes of a Cat. Under her belly she hath a bagge, wherein she lodgeth, carrieth, and sucketh her young."<ref>[http://wordsmithradio.org/scripts/opossum.html Chrysti the Wordsmith > Radio Scripts > Opossum<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref><ref>[http://www.possumnetwork.com/history.htm Possum History<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>. The Opossum was more formally described in 1698 in a published letter entitled "Carigueya, Seu Marsupiale Americanum Masculum. Or, The Anatomy of a Male Opossum: In a Letter to Dr Edward Tyson," from Mr [[William Cowper (anatomist)|William Cowper]], Chirurgeon, and [[Fellow of the Royal Society]], London, by Edward Tyson, M. D. Fellow of the College of Physicians and of the Royal Society. The letter suggests even earlier descriptions.<ref>{{cite journal|url=http://links.jstor.org/sici?sici=0022-2372%28193208%2913%3A3%3C241%3ATPCAPM%3E2.0.CO%3B2-0|title=The Panniculus Carnosus and Pouch Musculature of the Opossum, a Marsupial|first=Orthello R.|last=Langworthy|journal=Journal of Mammalogy|volume=Vol. 13|issue=No. 3|month=August|year=1932|pages=241–251|doi=10.2307/1373999}}</ref> ==As food== {{citations missing|date=December 2007}} The opossum was a favorite game animal in the [[United States]], and in particular the southern regions which have a large body of recipes and folklore relating to the opossum. Opossum was once widely consumed in the [[United States]] where available as evidenced by recipes available online[http://www.wildgamerecipes.org/] and in books such as in older editions of [[The Joy of Cooking]]. In [[Dominica]] and [[Trinidad]] opossum or "manicou" is popular and can only be hunted during certain times of the year due to over-hunting; the meat is traditionally prepared by smoking then stewing. The meat is light and fine grained, but the musk glands must be removed as part of preparation. The meat can be used in place of rabbit and chicken in recipes. The cousin of the opossum, the [[possum]], found in [[Australia]] (and introduced to [[New Zealand]]) is consumed in a similar manner. (Davidson, 1999) Historically, hunters in the Caribbean would place a barrel with fresh or rotten fruit to attract opossums who would feed on the fruit or insects. Cubans growing up in the mid-twentieth century tell of brushing the maggots out of the mouths of "manicou" caught in this manner to prepare them for consumption. It is said also that the gaminess of the meat causes [[Flatulence|gas]].{{Fact|date=July 2007}} In Mexico, opossums are known as "tlacuache" or "tlaquatzin". Their tails are eaten as a folk remedy to improve fertility. Opossum oil (Possum grease) is high in [[essential fatty acids]] and has been used as a chest rub and a carrier for arthritis remedies given as topical salves. ==Classification== * '''Family Didelphidae'''<ref name=msw3/><ref>{{cite journal | last = Lew | first = Daniel | coauthors = Roger Pérez-Hernández, Jacint Ventura| title = Two new species of ''Philander'' (Didelphimorphia, Didelphidae) from northern South America | journal = Journal of Mammalogy | volume = 87 | issue = 2 | pages = 224–237 | year = 2006 |doi = 10.1644/05-MAMM-A-065R2.1}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal | journal = Mammalian Biology | volume = 73 | issue = 1 | year = 2008 | pages = 14–24 | title = A new species of ''Philander'' Brisson, 1762 (Didelphimorphia, Didelphidae) | author = David A. Flores, DA, Barqueza, RM, and Díaza, MM | doi = 10.1016/j.mambio.2007.04.002}}</ref> ** Subfamily [[Caluromyinae]] *** Genus ''[[Caluromys]]'' **** Subgenus ''Mallodelphys'' ***** [[Derby's Woolly Opossum]], ''Caluromys derbianus'' ***** [[Brown-eared Woolly Opossum]], ''Caluromys lanatus'' **** Subgenus ''Caluromys'' ***** [[Bare-tailed Woolly Opossum]], ''Caluromys philander'' *** Genus ''[[Caluromysiops]]'' **** [[Black-shouldered Opossum]], ''Caluromysiops irrupta'' *** Genus ''[[Glironia]]'' **** [[Bushy-tailed Opossum]], ''Glironia venusta'' ** Subfamily [[Didelphinae]] *** Genus ''[[Chacodelphys]]'' **** [[Chacoan Pygmy Opossum]] (''Chacodelphys formosa'') *** Genus ''[[Chironectes]]'' **** Yapok or [[Water Opossum]] (''Chironectes minimus'') *** Genus ''[[Cryptonanus]]'' ([http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=sp&u=http://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cryptonanus translation of Spanish article]) **** [[Agricola's Gracile Opossum]] (''Cryptonanus agricolai'') **** [[Chacoan Gracile Opossum]] (''Cryptonanus chacoensis'') **** [[Bolivian Gracile Opossum]] (''Cryptonanus guahybae'') **** [[Red-bellied Gracile Opossum]] (''Cryptonanus ignitus'') **** [[Rio Grande do Sul Gracile Opossum]] (''Cryptonanus unduaviensis'') *** Genus ''[[Didelphis]]''[[Image:Opossum Skull.jpg|thumb|Skull of a [[Virginia Opossum]], ''D. virginiana'']] **** [[White-eared Opossum]] (''Didelphis albiventris'') **** [[Big-eared Opossum]] (''Didelphis aurita'') **** [[Guianan White-eared Opossum]] (''Didelphis imperfecta'') **** [[Common Opossum]] (''Didelphis marsupialis'') **** [[Andean White-eared Opossum]] (''Didelphis pernigra'') **** [[Virginia Opossum]] (''Didelphis virginiana'') *** Genus ''[[Gracilinanus]]'' **** [[Aceramarca Gracile Opossum]] (''Gracilinanus aceramarcae'') **** [[Agile Gracile Opossum]] (''Gracilinanus agilis'') **** [[Wood Sprite Gracile Opossum]] (''Gracilinanus dryas'') **** [[Emilia's Gracile Opossum]] (''Gracilinanus emilae'') **** [[Northern Gracile Opossum]] (''Gracilinanus marica'') **** [[Brazilian Gracile Opossum]] (''Gracilinanus microtarsus'') *** Genus ''[[Hyladelphys]]'' **** [[Kalinowski's Mouse Opossum]] (''Hyladelphys kalinowskii'') *** Genus ''[[Lestodelphys]]'' **** [[Patagonian Opossum]] (''Lestodelphys halli'') *** Genus ''[[Lutreolina]]'' **** [[Lutrine Opossum|Lutrine]] or Thick-tailed Opossum (''Lutreolina crassicaudata'') *** Genus ''[[Marmosa]]'' **** [[Heavy-browed Mouse Opossum]] (''Marmosa andersoni'') **** [[Rufous Mouse Opossum]] (''Marmosa lepida'') **** [[Mexican Mouse Opossum]] (''Marmosa mexicana'') **** [[Linnaeus's Mouse Opossum]] (''Marmosa murina'') **** [[Quechuan Mouse Opossum]] (''Marmosa quichua'') **** [[Robinson's Mouse Opossum]] (''Marmosa robinsoni'') **** [[Red Mouse Opossum]] (''Marmosa rubra'') **** [[Tyleria Mouse Opossum]] (''Marmosa tyleriana'') **** [[Guajira Mouse Opossum]] (''Marmosa xerophila'') *** Genus ''[[Marmosops]]'' **** [[Bishop's Slender Opossum]] (''Marmosops bishopi'') **** [[Narrow-headed Slender Opossum]] (''Marmosops cracens'') **** ''[[Marmosops creightoni]]'' **** [[Dorothys' Slender Opossum]] (''Marmosops dorothea'') **** [[Dusky Slender Opossum]] (''Marmosops fuscatus'') **** [[Handley's Slender Opossum]] (''Marmosops handleyi'') **** [[Tschudi's Slender Opossum]] (''Marmosops impavidus'') **** [[Gray Slender Opossum]] (''Marmosops incanus'') **** [[Panama Slender Opossum]] (''Marmosops invictus'') **** [[Junin Slender Opossum]] (''Marmosops juninensis'') **** [[Neblina Slender Opossum]] (''Marmosops neblina'') **** [[White-bellied Slender Opossum]] (''Marmosops noctivagus'') **** [[Delicate Slender Opossum]] (''Marmosops parvidens'') **** [[Brazilian Slender Opossum]] (''Marmosops paulensis'') **** [[Pinheiro's Slender Opossum]] (''Marmosops pinheiroi'') *** Genus ''[[Metachirus]]'' **** [[Brown Four-eyed Opossum]] (''Metachirus myosuros'') *** Genus ''[[Micoureus]]'' ([http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=sp&u=http://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Micoureus_phaeus translation of Spanish article]) **** [[Alston's Mouse Opossum]] (''Micoureus alstoni'') **** [[White-bellied Woolly Mouse Opossum]] (''Micoureus constantiae'') **** [[Woolly Mouse Opossum]] (''Micoureus demerarae'') **** [[Tate's Woolly Mouse Opossum]] (''Micoureus paraguayanus'') **** [[Little Woolly Mouse Opossum]] (''Micoureus phaeus'') **** [[Bare-tailed Woolly Mouse Opossum]] (''Micoureus regina'') *** Genus ''[[Monodelphis]]'' ([http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=sp&u=http://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monodelphis translation of Spanish article]) **** [[Sepia Short-tailed Opossum]] (''Monodelphis adusta'') **** [[Northern Three-striped Opossum]] (''Monodelphis americana'') **** [[Northern Red-sided Opossum]] (''Monodelphis brevicaudata'') **** [[Yellow-sided Opossum]] (''Monodelphis dimidiata'') **** [[Gray Short-tailed Opossum]] (''Monodelphis domestica'') **** [[Emilia's Short-tailed Opossum]] (''Monodelphis emiliae'') **** [[Amazonian Red-sided Opossum]] (''Monodelphis glirina'') **** [[Ihering's Three-striped Opossum]] (''Monodelphis iheringi'') **** [[Pygmy Short-tailed Opossum]] (''Monodelphis kunsi'') **** [[Marajó Short-tailed Opossum]] (''Monodelphis maraxina'') **** [[Osgood's Short-tailed Opossum]] (''Monodelphis osgoodi'') **** [[Hooded Red-sided Opossum]] (''Monodelphis palliolata'') **** ''[[Monodelphis reigi]]'' **** [[Peruvian Short-tailed Opossum]] (''Monodelphis ronaldi'') **** [[Chestnut-striped Opossum]] (''Monodelphis rubida'') **** [[Long-nosed Short-tailed Opossum]] (''Monodelphis scalops'') **** [[Southern Red-sided Opossum]] (''Monodelphis sorex'') **** [[Southern Three-striped Opossum]] (''Monodelphis theresa'') **** [[Red Three-striped Opossum]] (''Monodelphis umbristriata'') **** [[One-striped Opossum]] (''Monodelphis unistriata'') *** Genus ''[[gray and black four-eyed opossum|Philander]]'' **** [[Anderson's Four-eyed Opossum]] (''Philander andersoni'') **** ''[[Philander deltae]]'' **** [[Southeastern Four-eyed Opossum]] (''Philander frenatus'') **** [[McIlhenny's Four-eyed Opossum]] (''Philander mcilhennyi'') **** ''[[Philander mondolfii]]'' **** ''[[Philander olrogi]]'' **** [[Gray Four-eyed Opossum]] (''Philander opossum'') *** Genus ''[[Thylamys]]'' ([http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=sp&u=http://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thylamys translation of Spanish article]) **** [[Cinderella Fat-tailed Mouse Opossum]] (''Thylamys cinderella'') **** [[Elegant Fat-tailed Mouse Opossum]] (''Thylamys elegans'') **** [[Karimi's Fat-tailed Mouse Opossum]] (''Thylamys karimii'') **** [[Paraguayan Fat-tailed Mouse Opossum]] (''Thylamys macrurus'') **** [[White-bellied Fat-tailed Mouse Opossum]] (''Thylamys pallidior'') **** [[Common Fat-tailed Mouse Opossum]] (''Thylamys pusillus'') **** [[Argentine Fat-tailed Mouse Opossum]] (''Thylamys sponsorius'') **** [[Tate's Fat-tailed Mouse Opossum]] (''Thylamys tatei'') **** [[Dwarf Fat-tailed Mouse Opossum]] (''Thylamys velutinus'') **** [[Buff-bellied Fat-tailed Mouse Opossum]] (''Thylamys venustus'') *** Genus ''[[Tlacuatzin]]'' ([http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=sp&u=http://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tlacuatzin translation of Spanish article]) **** [[Gray Mouse Opossum]] (''Tlacuatzin canescens'') ==References== {{reflist}} <!-- please inline these refs *{{cite journal | last = Lew | first = Daniel | coauthors = Roger Pérez-Hernández, Jacint Ventura| title = Two new species of ''Philander'' (Didelphimorphia, Didelphidae) from northern South America | journal = Journal of Mammalogy | volume = 87 | issue = 2 | pages = 224–237 | year = 2006 |doi = 10.1644/05-MAMM-A-065R2.1}} *Davidson, Alan. Oxford Companion to Food (1999), "Opossum". p. 554, 556. ISBN 0-19-211579-0 *Lonely Planet World Food Caribbean (2001) p.46 ISBN 1-86450-348-3 *{{cite journal | last = Cowper | first = William | coauthor = Edward Tyson | title = Number 290: Carigueya, Seu Marsupiale Americanum Masculum. Or, The Anatomy of a Male Opossum: In a Letter to Dr Edward Tyson, from Mr William Cowper, Chirurgeon, and Fellow of the Royal Society, London. To Which are Premised Some Further Observations on the Opossum; And a New Division of Terrestrial Brute Animals, Particularly of Those That Have Their Feet Formed Like Hands. Where an Account is Given of Some Animals Not Yet Described | journal = Philosophical Transactions (1683-1775) | volume = 2 | pages = 1565–1575 | year = 1704 - 1705}}([http://links.jstor.org/sici?sici=0022-2372%28193208%2913%3A3%3C241%3ATPCAPM%3E2.0.CO%3B2-0 ]) --> {{Mammals}} {{Didelphimorphia}} {{North American Game}} [[Category:Opossums| ]] [[category:Living fossils]] <!--Interlanguage links--> [[ar:أوبسوم]] [[bg:Опосуми]] [[ca:Opossum]] [[de:Beutelratten]] [[es:Didelphimorphia]] [[fa:صاریغ]] [[fr:Didelphimorphia]] [[id:Oposum]] [[it:Didelphidae]] [[he:אופוסום]] [[la:Didelphis]] [[lt:Oposumai]] [[nl:Opossums]] [[ja:オポッサム]] [[pl:Dydelfokształtne]] [[pt:Didelfídeos]] [[ru:Опоссумы]] [[fi:Pussirotat]] [[sv:Pungråttor]] [[tr:Didelphimorphia]] [[uk:Опосуми]] [[zh:負鼠目]]