Virginia opossums (Didelphis virginiana) are the one marsupials in the US and we’re proud to share our yard with them. As a result of they’re nocturnal, we virtually by no means truly see them, however we all know they’re right here, due to our digital camera traps. Lately we managed to movie a really fascinating opossum conduct: how an opossum makes use of its tail. Try the video beneath displaying the opossum tail in motion!
The opossum tail is used to hold nesting materials
Opossums use their prehensile tail to hold nesting materials (leaves, twigs, corn husks…) again to their dens. That is how they do it: opossums choose up leaves with their mouths after which go them to the entrance ft, then to their again ft. They curl their tail excessive of the bundle of leaves and carry this bedding round with their semi-prehensile tails as if it was a fifth limb!
We’ve caught this conduct a number of occasions on our path cameras. The video beneath is the most recent, the place an opossum is seen grabbing leaves and taking them to his den, which is just about 10 ft from our home. We intentionally depart our leaves on the bottom within the fall so opossums, woodchucks, and squirrels can take them to their nests. Opossums don’t dig their very own dens. Our neighbor right here is utilizing a woodchuck burrow. Leaves are used to line the den, rising insulation by the chilly winter.
Opossum tails are used for balancing when climbing timber
Whereas younger opossums can cling by their tail (if they’re made to take action), grownup opossums are too heavy they usually don’t use their tail for hanging. However they do use it for balancing and stabilizing on branches when climbing timber.
Opossum tails usually are not handles
Grabbing a completely grown opossum by the tip of its tail can significantly hurt it by dislocating tail bones.
To be taught extra about opossums learn our article Possum vs Opossum: What’s the Distinction?
