10 Awesome Opossum Facts!

Opossums are seriously awesome! Here's 10 things that make them special. How many did you already know? I bet at least one of the facts surprises you!
Our Video Sponsors:
Matt Horrell
Jeremy F.
TeraTigerStudio
TheKerBear
m easton
Ville Jäppinen
Sara Lauter
James Pellosma
Donald Eckels
Eichhörnchenversteher
Lucka Kelbl
Riley Oosting
Christina Thompson
Eileen Stone
Francis Peterson
Tori Zecchini
Sonny Sandberg
Rob Nielsen
Alex
Andy
Teresa Whitlock
Scott Hartranft
Marissa Holman
Jools Lloyd
Bitoku
Lachi
Steven Kent
GR Kulikowsky
Thank you so much for helping make these videos possible!
If you'd like your name here or featured at the end of an episode, you can become a sponsor at / animalwonders
--
Looking for more awesome animal stuff?
Subscribe to Animal Wonders Montana to see all of our videos!
KZbin: / anmlwndrs
Other places to find us:
Website: www.animalwonders.org
Patreon: / animalwonders
Instagram: / animalwondersmontana
Facebook: / animalwonders
Twitter: / animal_wonders
Amazon Wishlist: www.amazon.com/registries/gl/...

[@princessShiraz]

FYI to anyone reading this, never ever pick up an opossum by its tail. Rehabbers are constantly dealing with spinal cord injuries and even paralysis from people doing this. Thanks for making this video. I love opossums and am always explaining to people how great they are.

[@nanka2002]

this should be pinned.

[@danbeeker280]

ADORABLE, I set out food and water for them on my back porch every night

[@joesmith-em2cd]

Why would any one think about picking up any animal from its tail? That baffles me.

[@PeterMartyrVermigli_is_cool]

And you will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart. -Jeremiah 29:13 “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life. -John 3:16 Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out. -Acts 3:19 .

[@PeterMartyrVermigli_is_cool]

@@joesmith-em2cd🦙

[@ardzruni]

2:36 "Their tails aren't going to win the prize for being cute," Displays the single cutest picture of an opossum and its tail ever taken.

[@animalwondersmontana]

I've tried so hard to get people to love Ophelia's tail as much as I do, but it's just not going to happen, lol. -Jessi

[@ragnkja]

It’s a really cool tail.

[@Myrtle2911]

@@animalwondersmontana I do!!! Her tail is awesome!

[@kyrab7914]

It's weird how much being hairless is weird to us, the hairless apes

[@BasilBeesLair]

​@@kyrab7914never thought about that but yeah, kinda hypocritical of us huh

[@bubbajenkins123]

I’ve never had one as a “pet” per se, but I’ve always shared my yard with them throughout my life and I love them very much.

[@PeterMartyrVermigli_is_cool]

And you will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart. -Jeremiah 29:13 “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life. -John 3:16 Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out. -Acts 3:19 :)

[@susanne5803]

1: Opossum ≠ Possum: Didn't know. 2. Playing dead (did know) involuntary (that part I didn't know.): Like mimosas? 3: Immunity to (some?) venom: Didn't know. 4: Prehensile tail: Yes. I knew! (Finally something ...) 5. Grooming as much as cat: I partly knew, not the extent. 6: Huge pupils: Didn't know. 7: Opposable thumbs: Didn't know. 8: Embryos crawl to pouch like kangaroos, but limited number of functioning nipples limits number of survivors: Knew first part. Didn't know second part. 9: Excellent memory: Didn't know. At all. Wow! 10: Ancestors lived during cretaceous period: Didn't know. Need to ask them about what it was like ...! I learned a lot! Thank you very much!🤗

[@fredbrackely]

Here is another. They can't get infected with Rabies. Their body temp is too low.

[@nightangel972000]

She left out that they eat their weight in ticks. It’s why I get so upset when I see people trying to shoot them.

[@pavarottiaardvark3431]

Ophelia thinking: Enough facts, more PINE CONES

[@PeterMartyrVermigli_is_cool]

And you will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart. -Jeremiah 29:13 “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life. -John 3:16 Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out. -Acts 3:19 :)

[@sethdarque3904]

😄😀😄😄😃😃😀😀😃

[@val_923]

i've said this before, but i STILL love ophelia's crinkly whiskers!

[@PeterMartyrVermigli_is_cool]

And you will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart. -Jeremiah 29:13 “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life. -John 3:16 Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out. -Acts 3:19 :)

[@user-uh6be7qr3y]

Hello I am a student live in Korea, and I learned about opossum by this cool and interesting viseo. What opossum is and how much fun fact they have.I was surprised that their tail actually help them not to get off from the branches. I am gonna search more for this animal right away. Finally, I wish you and your cute opossum friend have a great day!😁

[@animalwondersmontana]

Awesome! There's much more to learn about opossums and I hope you enjoy !

[@susanne5803]

Hello to Korea from Europe!🤗

[@user-uh6be7qr3y]

@@susanne5803 hi to you too!

[@juliac3933]

What are your favorite animals in Korea?

[@noblehillministerprophet8689]

They are the cutest ugly things alive

[@Matt-vv7fl]

Love this video! I've also heard that opposums rarely carry rabies and eat TONS of ticks. I think they're very useful critters.

[@kaylathehedgehog2005]

Yep. More often than not, their body temperature runs too low for the rabies virus to thrive very well. And one opossum can eat around 5000 ticks in one season, all by his or her lonesome.

[@brienfoaboutanything9037]

True about Opossum: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jKOmqYKghL1ghLM

[@drewadrawing]

Well, I personally think that everything about Ophelia is cute, INCLUDING her tail! It's pretty up there in cuteness!

[@erin1777]

In your poll the other day, I chose “A day in the life”…but I’m really secretly glad it was this. I do love Ophelia. ❤️❤️

[@MariaGonzalez-kd1ww]

I enjoy my opossum that comes all the time to my yard ! He’s becoming part of the family 🥰 He always got a treat from me 🤩☝️

[@ridefree9160]

Such beautiful creatures

[@laurieforsythe8724]

I've heard that ‘possums love to eat ticks. So more power to them!

[@arasartsandjewelry7647]

Being from the PNW I grew up with these. I love their goofy cuteness and usefulness. And they are fascinating creatures.

[@elizabethwinkler2749]

Loved this information! As a licensed wildlife rehabber specializing in opossums, this is awesome and accurate information and truly shows how amazing opossums are!

[@Ravenzpeak]

We have an opossum named Eddie. I didn't know the species existed in the days of the dinosaurs! Wow, they are so cool. Thanks for sharing this!

[@daniels.]

I was saving this video for today: love all these fun facts, and I've learned a lot. I once looked out the window and saw an opossum walking on the fence, and I thought of Ophelia!

[@Pixaley]

Ophie is one of the greatest ambassadors ever. Please give her treats and scritches for all of us, even all the way up here in Ontario.

[@Danika_Nadzan]

Thanks for the highlight on Ophelia and opossums...She is just adorable! When I lived in Tennessee, I got to see a mother lead her four youngsters across my back steps and up onto the shed roof...a precious memory!

[@user-gg4of8kj6y]

God bless you for educating people via this video about the opossum. These little ones many times are misunderstood and face rough situations. They are actually adorable, in my opinion

[@curtasschmidt1638]

I love opossum I've rescued a couple babies in my life I fell in love with them

[@curtasschmidt1638]

I love your videos because I love animals so much I have a guinea pig I love this little animal so much I have a cat and a dog I love very and many other animals I just haven't got to actually coming contact with but I know in heaven they will all be there every variety

[@curtasschmidt1638]

And I see you love animals very much yourself

[@barrettkeathley6985]

Love Ophelia, she's so cute. Would like to point out one thing though. Opposums, dogs, cats, humans, we all live with dinosaurs today. Birds are dinosaurs. They didn't evolve from dinosaurs, they are dinosaurs. Still a lot of interesting facts in this video.Thanks😊

[@pw7.088]

I’m raising 3 little orphaned baby girls for the next few months , their mom was killed by dogs at my neighbors next door 🥺 So I’m learning all I can and am amazed at these little sweet creatures ♥️ I will release them as soon as they are around 8 inches long .

[@marisalee194]

That baby Ophelia photo is just too cute!

[@StarSong936]

I have had some up close and personal interactions with the Virginia Opossum. I had one eating from my kitchen table, and just 2 weeks ago I had one sniffing at my hands while one of my cats was looking on. I've also had close encounters with skunks where I did not get sprayed. Also wasps where I did not get stung. Why no bad outcomes, I don't really know. The only thing I can say is, pay attention to the animal. They will tell you what they are comfortable with. I am aware of the difference between an opossum and a possum. I used to have a Brazilian Mouse Possum as a pet. Her name was Minuet.

[@whalesong999]

So interesting the creatures we can find not offended with us. I've cared for many opossums since working at an exotic animal drive-through park and I'm not put off by wasps either.

[@Lewdi]

Man what a great video! Glad to see people changing their minds on opossum. We possums are pretty rad! 😎

[@LydiaTarine12]

It is so nice to watch Ophelia. When growing up, the only time I'd ever really see an opossum was when the dogs had trapped one in a backyard tree. Naturally, this means they were trying to look as fierce as possible and weren't relaxed at all. It is nice to see one that is relaxed. ^_^

[@bonnitaclaus2286]

Are used to feed our neighborhood cats in my basement garage. I could not close my garage door all the way, i’ve had cameras set up just in case somebody should break in. Instead I found a Cats had been coming inside to get warm for the winter. I started feeding them in the basement, and giving them warm cubbyholes to sleep in. It was the same cats all the time with about three that I knew had homes and would only visit during the day and never spent the night. once every 10 to11 days I would record a possum coming in for a snack. It was always about the same time with a week and a half between each visit.

[@medea27]

Thanks Jessi & AWM team, they were awesome facts! Having lived around & worked with different possum species in Australia the differences are absolutely fascinating - I can assure you that our native relatives are not prone to fainting, quite the opposite! LOL The single opposable thumb on the hind paws is particularly intriguing, especially seeing as it doesn't have a claw while the rest of the toes do - I wonder why they dropped having a claw on that digit over time, do they normally live in trees with branches small enough for them to encircle with the thumb? (rather than needing the claw to give them grip)

[@DominicaTraditionalWear]

We call them 'Manicou'.

[@marthak1618]

Opossums make great urban residents in even a mildly naturalized yard. They survive on a wide variety of foods including rodents. (Just look at those long toothy jaws.) I've had one invite itself into my house a couple of times when I left the back door open and was able to usher it out with nary a hint of aggression in return. My dog used to greet one each night that lived in a hollow of a box elder -- they would get nose to nose for a moment then go their separate ways. I've experienced raccoon neighbors and must say I much prefer opossums. The former can be quite greedy and destructive; the latter are like ghosts that rarely leave evidence of their presence.

[@heatherfeathers7789]

I love opossums so much. I went to college for Wildlife Biology, but I wish I had made a custom major for Wildlife Rehabilitation. I’d love to work at a rehab center or on my own. In Massachusetts, being a rehab and finding an opossum that can’t be released is the only legal way to keep one. It’s part of the reason I want to do it! ☺️

[@neveraskedforahandle]

I looove opossums and I love learning new facts about them!

[@commander.saavik]

I love these videos! Animal Wonders is my go-to for my Daily Dose of Cute. Even the "bugs" are cute when Jessi shows them off!

[@milkaisaac6692]

I learned so much in this video Jessie! Thanks a lot and Ophelia is just too cute!

[@PaleKrow]

Very informative. I just had a couple come through the yard. I like them and always let them be. I was curious about what I didn't know about them and found your video. Totally learned some new stuff. Thank you!

[@Katiethewizard]

Oppossums are some of my favorite animals. They're hands and ears are some of the cutest features on any animal 🥺 I have a bleached opossum skull that i found in the woods on my shelf and they look like a totally different, terrifying animal without skin LOL

[@InternetPixels]

They were around to see the end of the dinosaurs, and they remember it. No wonder they pass out from stress, the things they've seen!

[@WildlifeEncountersNH]

Thanks Jesse, great video! I was up to speed on most of that but I actually didn’t know that much about the detailed timeline of their revolutionary history. And I currently have one of our opossums and I’m heading to the state fair in New Hampshire to present in the Fish & Game building. So this upload is perfect timing :-) have a great weekend!

[@antiglobaljoel532]

Memories unlike squirrels then, who forget where they bury acorns. :)

[@Beryllahawk]

Ophelia is the very cutest! Thank you for sharing these facts, I don't think I knew ANY of them!!

[@percygladwell1511]

opossums are my favorite animal! they're also a special interest of mine, so I love finding new videos about them, especially when i learn something new! ophelia is so cute!

[@allaboutthebrowns2016]

I just found two baby ones in my Closet an albino one and a regular one

[@allaboutthebrowns2016]

I released him outside the next morning at 2 o’clock in the morning they came back

[@gailkinney8683]

I know that opossums are special, and I really enjoyed your video. I learned a lot from it, so thank you for sharing it.❤

[@GarrettWebster-mx5wx]

We just found out we have a opossum in our yard and I’ve been trying to learn about them to provide a living space for it . This was helpful

[@noblehillministerprophet8689]

Thank you opossum lady!

[@zoesakurablossom5327]

Oh this was the best video to end the day with, what a wonderful opossum, thank you for sharing! ❤

[@shirleydrake1602]

I would love to rescue opossums . They are precious little animals!

[@nadinerichards9348]

I loved to listen and learn about the possums. We found one young and had to take care of her until ready to be set free

[@nancyjohnson5810]

We have had an opossum visiting us in our back yard for the last 3 days, but our little Chihuahua just found out that it's in the back yard. It's a little one not an adult. I wish I knew what it liked to eat. I have a lot of bird food out in the yard and so many different kinds of plants and grasses from all the seeds from the bird food. It's really quite adorable.

[@sadie4479]

I learned they were so so cute and sweet from Poppy the Opposum on Urban Rescue Ranch 😍

[@jeffjones4654]

Opossums also eat ticks by the truckload.

[@missnellaful]

If you put out a bail of hay under a hollow log with some food bones, they will help you all year round! Even tuna juice with flour is appreciated! Sweet creatures for us to worship!

[@jeannetteviviers9851]

Learning about animals other than those in one's own country is wonderful. I love all your little mammals ❤ south africa 🇿🇦

[@everydayelvenliving]

They are too stinking cute!

[@ilovemycat69]

Love them beautiful

[@Plasmon19]

Subscribed for the opossum.

[@whalesong999]

Nice coverage with your pal, Ophelia by your side. Have cared for many of them over the years, the frost bite damage to the tails was challenging to get treated but cooperative vet care saved the day.

[@dsteve54]

Your content was tremendous! I sure learned a lot and I am 67. Also I seem to notice that over time (sorry, I have not been visiting as often these days) it seems that you have greatly improved some aspects of your videography equipment. Am I right to think that is recent or have I just been away too long? Or am I just going crazy?

[@rays5163]

fact 11: contrary to popular opinion, opossums are in fact very cute and i would like to pet them.

[@STVG71]

I was out on my driveway having a cigar last night when one of this little guys came around the corner of my fence and approached me. I said "Hang on little guy" and it turned around and went back the way it was going. I packed up and went inside. Hope the little cutie goes to where it needs to be! :)

[@carmenbalko1372]

OMG I LOVE THEM….SO MUCH…❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@cokezero1]

I love Opossum

[@ARandomTexan]

Opossums/Possums are amazing!

[@Kluleess]

Very cool animals. TY

[@bnthern]

as always wonderful and educational!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@brennynhawbaker3313]

Such a lovely lady! Have you ever fed her ticks? Not sure if that'd be safe for her, but it is what they do normally!

[@Ulthar_Cat]

Opossums: if it ain't broke, don't fix it 💜

[@alkh2624]

this video was OPAWSOME !! i loved it !

[@sharonkaczorowski8690]

I once saw one coming into my subdivision with babies on her back.

[@rednoble]

I've been told they have one of the lowest body temperatures among mammals which helps them avoid rabies.

[@K84r7]

Ok I just took my dog out for a walk at 2am, My dog walks towards my garage which he never does. There was a box outside my garage and my dog grabs a small opossum from it. I managed to get him to drop the opossum. I was so upset thinking he died. I left the possum there hoping he was just playing dead. I took my dog around the block, around 15 minutes. Came back, and the opossom is gone. I am hoping and praying this opossum is able to recover, as it has made me incredibly upset tonight. I have a lot of opossoms here in Durham Ontario. A lot of them come daily to my backyard, and eat my tomatoes, grapes. and pears. I really hope he finds his family and they help him recover.

[@balsarmy]

Don't know why but I love them

[@zemtek420]

You forgot about one of the most important facts about opossums. They are tick eating machines. I was surprised the playing dead thing was completely involuntary. I have seen this in action a few times. My RubyDoo caught an opossum in the woods and was carring it her mouth when I seen her with it. It was all droopy like it was dead. I told her to drop it and she did and ran off back into the woods looking for other critters to chase. As soon as she dropped it and was out of site the opossum got up and ran off in the opposite direction. Which is why I was kind of surprised that this was an involuntary reaction. Are you sure on that fact?????????

[@catzkeet4860]

Possums are ALSO cute, tho here in NZ they’re considered noxious animals. Having said that, I, and most people who have rural backgrounds have kept one as a pet. I’ve personally had several and they’re sweet creatures. “O”possums on the other hand are not something we have here, but Ophelia is gorgeous. A real little cutie. I really enjoy your videos Jessi, they’re a happy little moment in sometimes difficult days. We’ve had the Delta variant here so are back in lockdown, which would be fine except I’m almost out of crafting materials…….yikes!! Lol stay safe.

[@FaultAndDakranon]

I love NZ and Viva La Dirt League!

[@YearsOfLeadPoisoning]

I'm still all about that video of baby opossums eating bananas

[@Zvezdochka1989]

Opossums are so adorable, me and my daughter love them ❤

[@robertcasey7312]

I ❤ Opossums

[@ano1919]

Wow, I need to learn more about these cute animals :)

[@Myrtle2911]

My favorite opossum fact: they are immune to rabies!!! People see them and think they must be vectors for rabies, but they are not. Also, I think they're adorable, tail and all! I had one living under my home this spring. I didn't mind at all, but my landlords didn't want her to damage anything. I think she's still on the farm somewhere, but between being chased by the dogs and having a cat get one of her babies, I don't think she's close to the house anymore. 😕

[@terriouellete1053]

Thank you

[@missnellaful]

Please help let folks know! These are valued in our ecosystem ! Thank you for knowing so much and I know you know more! 🪺🪸🐚

[@katherineuribe2952]

Opossums are great creatures!🤗

[@MalachiWhite-tw7hl]

Further, it is now believed that opossums are "tick magnets." They pick up ticks but the ticks cannot pass on Lyme disease and survive. They are very beneficial that way. Let opossums live!

[@ExcelCannabisLimited]

They really do play possum. Let my dogs out one night and my one German shepherd came back with what looked to be a dead opossum in his mouth. I freaked out and screamed drop it and he did. Went inside and cleaned his mouth out and was thinking “what am I gonna do with this dead opossum?” So I go back outside to dispose of what I thought was a d**d 🥲 opossum and it was gone. Little guy really did play possum and I’m glad it was ok and bounced outta here. I love these little cuties

[@hr6334]

Ophelia is so cute!

[@dianadelahaye7660]

Did not know, thankyou

[@mr.mcpurrz3143]

Ophelia is such a gorgeous lil soul.

[@DOLsenior]

Cutest animals ever.

[@grant8653]

THANK YOU FOR CALLING IT AN OPOSSUM!!!!

[@pixelgoat7317]

Eeee, I love opossum googly eyes X3

[@julenejardinehymer5028]

Sooooo true

[@Emily-fh8en]

She's soooooo cute!

[@G56AG]

As you mentioned, predators don't like to eat dead animals, a generalization. Some predators will eat almost any dead animal they find, racoons aren't really picky, many of the raptors, hawks, eagles, owls, etc, will eat almost anything they find. Some other predators can be picky, sometimes only eating what they kill, other times they will eat dead animals they find, I guess it depends on how hungry they are. Another thing I might add, opossums are the pacifists of wild animals, they won't attack you, they will growl, hiss, and make all kinds of noises, show off their 50 teeth with their big canines, even do some fake lunges, it's very impressive, and it's all a defensive display. DO NOT touch them, they are a wild animal, and it would cause them a lot of stress. They really don't like to bite, but don't press your luck, you might have found one that will bite. Step back and observe from a respectful distance, they are a marvelous example of Mother Nature.

[@nightreader1264]

We have always had opossums in our yard- we throw our scraps out. No bones though. For the first time, we had a baby left behind. We put out more scraps hoping that mom wound return. Next morning, the little guy was still there. We took him to the Austin Wildlife Rescue. The mom will not come back for them. They eats tons of insects and mosquitos. They DO NOT carry rabies. When they play dead- it will scare the bejesus out of you!

[@neenajaydon9641]

Opossums are adorable and Ophelia especially so 😆. I am curious what she gets out of the pinecones - is it the seeds inside she’s after?

[@carschmn]

She’s darling. Good job keeping her slim.

[@Chuassy]

Their memory must slip them when they see asphalt. They completely forget the near death experience they had on I-75

[@cynthiathornton5762]

"Opossum ancestors lived among dinosaurs" I might be being dumb here, but isn't that true for every animal?

[@zebedeemadness2672]

I believe she means the gap between, so first it was the family Herpetotheriidae that was Monotremes that live with Dinosaurs. It was the family Herpetotheriidae that gave direct raise to the Marsupials, and the family Didelphimorphia (Opossums) is the most basal (primitive) of the living marsupials, and they are still alive today unchanged. However Humans, we of course have and ancestor that live with the Dinosaurs but the gap between Humans and Dinosaur living relatives there has been alot more changes.

[@TheDaisytails]

Thanks for the great video! I wish I knew even more about opossums. I think I have one in my yard that comes to eat cat food. Do opossums know when they are giving birth? Do they sit still for the babies to crawl to the pouch? Is there a time when the babies will stay together in a den when they are bigger? I've never seen a young opossum on it's own. And I'd love to know more about how they drag stuff they find using their tail. I saw a pic of a opossum with its tail wrapped around leaves and sticks and some garbage too carrying it to a den site. Also, are they able to do the stinky thing even when not paralyzed with fear? sometimes we smell a skunk like smell and I'm pretty sure we don't have a skunk. Thanks for sharing info on this precious N. American animal. HUGS to you and Ofie!!!

[@noblehillministerprophet8689]

The cutest ugly things alive! Ha ha! I feed them every night in my back yard. Wild but friendly.

[@missnellaful]

Awesome! They are most grateful for a thanksgiving turkey leftover meal, chicken bones, fish bones. And leftovers if all kinds. In exchange your yard is guarded from ticks, fleas, lives, bedbugs and pests! Mice’s ate never welcome!

[@harryt988]

You are a brave woman - those are wild creatures

[@janmelantu7490]

Can’t believe I never learned they’re immune to venom

[@RealtyWebDesigners]

Oh Possums