Go Find It!

Opossums are common throughout Missouri near wooded areas, around farms, and in cities and towns. For more on these pouch-packing pals, scurry over to mdc.mo.gov/field-guide.

Virginia Opossum

Furry Faker

When cornered by a predator, an opossum often faints and pretends to be dead.

Lend Me a Tail

An opossum’s tail is prehensile (pre-hen-sul), which means it can curl around branches for balance.

Nature’s Cleanup Crew

A germ-bashing immune system allows an opossum to eat almost anything, including insects, worms, dead animals, and garbage.

Packing a Pouch

Opossums are marsupials (mar-sue-pee-uhls). Mama opossums have a pouch like kangaroos.

Mama Minivan

Baby opossums live in mom’s pouch for the first 80 days of life. Afterward, they ride on mom’s back until they can fend for themselves