Two Truths, One Lie

By MDC | November 1, 2026
From Xplor: November/December 2026
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Which fascinating fact is actually a fib?

  1. Male and female Virginia opossums have a fur-lined pouch on their bellies. They stuff the pouch with food to snack on later.
  2. Mama opossums are pregnant for only 12 days. When the helpless, half-baked babies are born, they’re the size of kidney beans.
  3. Opossums have 50 teeth when fully grown — more chompers than any other mammal native to Missouri.
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Answer: #1 (Only female opossums have a pouch, and they don’t stuff it with snacks. They use it to carry their babies.)

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This Issue's Staff

Artist – Matt Byrde
Photographer – Noppadol Paothong
Photographer – David Stonner
Designer – Marci Porter
Art Director – Ben Nickelson
Editor – Matt Seek
Subscriptions – Marcia Hale
Magazine Manager – Stephanie Thurber