Possums are also native to Papua New Guinea and Sulawesi, and are also found as an introduced species in New Zealand and China. One of the opossum specie is even skilled enough to subdue scorpions. The pregnant mother may also stay submerged in water while the young newborns are safe inside of the marsupial's pouch. Omissions? Fernandez, Fernando Antonio dos Santos, et al. [3] If looks could kill, opossums would be some of the fiercest predators. Length 10.6–15.7 in (27–40 cm); weight 21.2–28 oz (600–790g). Water Opossum Description. They Gravitate Toward Water . in our animals facts archive. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). Opossums Are Smart Critters . There are 23 possum species in Australia. Possums are often attracted to chicken feed and they can kill your chickens if they go into a coop, so feed your chickens midday if possible. If left unharmed, a catatonic opossum will recover in roughly one to four hours. Only one species of opossum, the Virginia opossum, lives in the United States and Canada. Killed by many predators: humans (and cars), dogs, cats, owls, and larger wildlife. The Yapok also known as the Water Opossum is an interesting Marsupial that is known for being unlike any other animal on the planet. Morphology of the male genital system of Chironectes minimus and comparison to other didelphid marsupials. >> When opossums are attacked, they will “play possum,” pretending that they are dead; they remain still, they […] It lives around freshwater lakes, rivers and streams. Find out why at Wild Facts. Discovery First off, it helps to know how the opossum was d iscovered. Opossums have a very short lifespan, usually three years or less in the wild, where they have to contend with predators and cars. The water opossum seems to have a history dating as far back as to the Pliocene Epoch. The broad hindfeet are webbed and are used for propulsion through water, moving with alternate strokes. The water opossum is the most aquatic marsupial. Corrections? They are considered as one of the major marsupials that are found in the Western Hemisphere. The water opossum or yapok (Chironectes minimus) is particularly unusual, as it is the only living semi-aquatic marsupial, using its webbed hindlimbs to dive in search of freshwater mollusks and crayfish. They sleep during the day in a den in a hollow tree or in an abandoned rodent burrow. Fun possum facts. 4 Facts About The Water Opossum. The Yapok also known as the Water Opossum is an interesting Marsupial that is known for being unlike any other animal on the planet. The Water Opossum (Chironectes minimus) or ‘Yapok’ is found in the tropical forests of South America. The local name for the water opossum, "yapok", probably comes from the name of the Oyapok River in French Guiana. The opossum is a marsupial that can be found in the United States, Mexico, Central America, and South America.Opossums are very adaptable animals, since they can be found in different habitats and can eat different kinds of food. A strong ring of muscle makes the pouch (which opens to the rear) watertight, so the young remain dry, even when the mother is totally immersed in water. Yapoks build their nests underground. Water Opossums are carnivorous, easting fish and other small aquatic animals. Latra minima (Zimmerman, 1780), Cayenne, French Guiana. General Facts » Here are some amazing facts about this creature that might change you from an opossum hater to an opossum fan. PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS. Possums are a suborder of 70 tree-living marsupial species native to Australia and the Indonesian islands of New Guinea and Sulawesi. Learn fast facts about Water Opossums in food plan, habitat, prey, replica, and so forth. This amazing species is North America’s only marsupial (pouched mammal). Being a marsupial and at the same time an aquatic animal, the water opossum has evolved a way to protect its young while swimming. PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS. It is the only marsupial that depends almost entirely on aquatic prey, such as fish, molluscs, and frogs. The chilly weather usually leads to frostbite on its hairless tail, paws, or ears. The opossum is a successful scavenger, thanks to its adaptability and excellent immune system. TAXONOMY. It is because of their biolo… The largest species of possum is the cuscus. A prehensile tail can be wrapped around branches to … A female opossum gives birth to helpless young as tiny as honeybees. It is the only living member of its genus, Chironectes. It is also the only living marsupial in which both sexes have a pouch. There are more than 60 species of opossum. Also known as the "yapok", it is the only marsupial that likes to swim. Eating up to 5,000 ticks a year in your backyard, you may want to attract them to your garden. Learn fast facts about Water Opossums in food plan, habitat, prey, replica, and so forth. >> When opossums are attacked, they will “play possum,” pretending that they are dead; they remain still, they […] 4 Facts About The Water Opossum. Opossum Facts. The largest species of possum is the cuscus. Their sensitive ears and whiskers are important in detecting prey in the dark and in the water. They keep urban areas free from ticks and other pests, which keeps communities cleaner and healthier. However, opossums are world-class tree climbers, with sharp claws, opposable thumbs on their hind feet, and a prehensile tail that helps them scale trunks and hang onto branches. Opossums are mostly docile and harmless creatures that are rarely dangerous. They sleep during the day in a den in a hollow tree or in an abandoned rodent burrow. Adaptable; able to live wherever water, food, and shelter exist. Diet. It is not known when the breeding season is, but females have been found with two to five young in the pouch in July, December, January, February, and March. Opossum - Water Opossum Facts & Trivia for kids The Water Opossum is also called a yapok. [8] While opossums may seem like vermin, they actually make great neighbors. The water opossum (Chironectes minimus), also locally known as the yapok, an aquatic marsupial are member of the opossum family with black and grey waterproof fur, webbed hind feet and a backward-pointing pouch in both sexes. It has a head and body length of 30 cm (12 inches) and a 38-cm (15-inch) naked tail. Killed by many predators: humans (and cars), dogs, cats, owls, and larger wildlife. The water opossum-the yapok also eats freshwater fish like the crawfish or mollusks. Water opossum, (Chironectes minimus), also called yapok or yapock, a semiaquatic, web-footed marsupial (family Didelphidae, subfamily Didelphinae) found along tropical rivers, streams, and lakes from Mexico to Argentina. Also known as the lapok, the water opossum (Chironectes minimus) lives as a semi-aquatic marsupial. In this lesson, you will learn about the yapok's behavior and habitat and we will look at some facts about these interesting creatures. This creature is found in the freshwater streams and lakes in Mexico, Central and South America to Argentina. Water Opossums live in southern Mexico and South America. The water opossum (Chironectes minimus), also locally known as the yapok (/ˈjæpɒk/), is a marsupial of the family Didelphidae. Water Opossums have waterproof coats which have a grey and black pattern. Don’t confuse an American opossum with an Australian possum – they’re quite different! General Facts » Distribution of the Opossum. While opossums may seem like vermin, they actually make great neighbors. Opossums Kill Ticks by the Thousands Opossums are voracious eaters that will try anything they find, something you know quite well if you’ve ever found one pawing through your garbage bins.