Where are Virginia opossums found?
Virginia opossum, (Didelphis virginiana), the only marsupial (family Didelphidae, subfamily Didelphinae) found north of Mexico. The Virginia opossum occurs from southern Canada to northern Costa Rica.
Where do north American opossums live?
The common opossum and Virginia opossum are found in the United States, Mexico, Central America, South America and Canada. Though they aren’t picky about where they hang out, opossums love trees and will stay aloft in trees as much as possible. They also prefer areas that are wet, like marshes, swamps and streams.
Where do most opossums live?
Opossums live in forested or brushy habitats, but they have adapted well to living close to people in cities and suburbs. Opossums will den nearly anywhere that is dry, sheltered and safe. This includes burrows dug by other mammals, rock crevices, hollow stumps, wood piles and spaces under buildings.
How far north do opossums live?
Opossums have been steadily marching northward since that time, becoming common in southern Michigan by the 1920s and now found as far north as southeastern Ontario. These animals are built for the tropics but keep pushing north with help from humans.
Where do Didelphis virginiana live?
The Virginia opossum (Didelphis virginiana), commonly known as the North American opossum, is the only opossum found north of Mexico, with its range additionally extending south into Central America. Its range makes it both the northernmost opossum and the northernmost marsupial in the world.
How did opossums get to North America?
But after the Isthmus of Panama emerged to reconnect North and South America 3 million years ago, two marsupials made it back to North America: the Virginia opossum (Didelphis virginiana), a common resident in the Southeast today, and the southern opossum (Didelphis marsupialis), which lives as far north as Mexico.
Where do opossums live in Canada?
The Virginia opossum (Didelphis virginiana) is Canada’s only marsupial. It belongs to one of three marsupial families native to the Americas. The Virginia opossum’s northernmost range reaches into Southern and Southeastern Ontario, Southern Quebec and the lower Fraser Valley in British Columbia.
How did possums get to California?
The opossum is not native to California but was introduced in San Jose in 1910 from the east coast of the United States and has now become well established throughout much of the state.
Are opossums native to North America?
Habitat. The opossum is a common inhabitant of North America. Native to Central America and the southern United States, opossums have expanded their range northward over the past 100 years. Now, their range extends as far north as Ontario, Canada.
Why are possums the only marsupial in North America?
How did possums get to North America?
Are possums indigenous to North America?
While there are over 65 species of opossums, only one, the Didelphis virginiana, more commonly known as the Virginia opossum, is native to North America.