Introduction:
Have you ever wondered about the curious behavior and peculiar appearance of possums? With their amusing-looking, scruffy fur and their habit of playing dead, possums have long been a subject of fascination to many! In addition, did you know that possums are one of the oldest surviving mammals in the world? In this article, we’ve gathered 15 interesting facts about possums to keep you captivated and informed.
Fact 1: Possums are the oldest surviving mammals in the world
The story of the possum began over 70 million years ago when the species first appeared on our planet! Ever since, the species has managed to survive the years of environmental change, making them one of the oldest surviving mammals. Thus, possums are truly an incredible aspect of the natural world.
Fact 2: Possums have prehensile tails
Possums are well-known for their prehensile tails, which helps them to grip their environment and keep balance. This tail is full of muscular tissue and lined with fur which is very useful to them, since it also provides camouflage and warmth.
Fact 3: Possums are marsupials
Possums are marsupials, which means they have a pouch which helps them to carry their young. Alfred Brehm, a 19th century German zoologist, noted that on an average a possum has a nobler possibilities in the development of young than other mammals, a fact that could be attributed to their marsupial characteristics.
Fact 4: Possums are nocturnal creatures
Like many animals, possums are nocturnal creatures, meaning they are most active during the night-time. This is partly due to their natural predator, the owl, who is most active during the day. By being active at night, the possums are less likely to be preyed upon.
Fact 5: Possums bury their waste
Unlike most other animals, possums are has highly adapted to managing their waste hygiene. In the wild, they bury their urine and feces to prevent the spread of disease. Female possums will also carry their own babies in their pouches and bury their waste products while they have the young in their pouches.
Fact 6: Possums can swim
Despite being land animals, possums are able to swim. Their hind feet have webbing on them which helps them to make a strong paddling motion in the water. Possums are very fast in water, so if they ever do need to swim, they can do it with ease.
Fact 7: Possums have opposable thumbs on their front feet
Possums have opposable thumbs on their front feet which help them to grip and hold onto things. They use their feet to climb trees, catch prey, and carry food. Possums also have long nails on their front feet which aid them in terms of gripping onto things.
Fact 8: Possums have poor eyesight but a keen sense of smell
Possums have poor eyesight which means they must use their sense of smell to navigate the world around them. They have a very strong sense of smell which, along with their keen hearing, makes up for their lack of eyesight.
Fact 9: Possums have curved incisors which never stop growing
Possums have curved incisors, which are the long, pointed teeth at the front of their mouth. These incisors never stop growing — similar to the way our fingernails never stop growing. They use these teeth to catch and eat their food, and they sharpen the teeth constantly to keep them in top working condition.
Fact 10: Possums have six nipples
Possums have six nipples which are all located in the mother’s pouch — two on the chest and four on the abdomen. When the young possums are born, they crawl from the birth canal to the pouch, where they then feed from their mother’s nipples.
Fact 11: Possums are omnivores
Possums are omnivores, meaning they can eat both plant and animal material. They are opportunistic feeders, meaning they will eat whatever is available. Possums forage for food both during the night and during the day, although they tend to feed more at night in order to avoid their natural predators.
Fact 12: Possums play dead as a form of defense
Possums play dead as a form of defense, a behavior that is also referred to as “playing possum.” During this time, possums can go into a state of shock and “play dead,” their muscles stiffening and their breathing slowing, all in order to ward of danger.
Fact 13: Possums produce saliva to help keep their fur clean and healthy
Possums produce a special type of saliva in order to keep their fur clean and healthy. This saliva has antibacterial properties that keep the fur free of bacteria, thus helping the possum to combat skin infections.
Fact 14: Possums have a long lifespan in captivity
The average lifespan of a possum in the wild is only between two and four years. In comparison, those living in captivity can reach up to eight to ten years. This is mainly due to the fact that they are provided with a safe habitat, have more access to food, and are not as affected by natural predators.
Fact 15: Possums are Australian natives
Although there are over 60 species of possum across the world, most of these are found in the islands and continents of the Pacific Ocean. The most well-known species of possum is the Australian common brushtail possum, and it is this species which is considered to be Australia’s native possum.
Conclusion
Possums are truly incredible creatures, and there is much more to learn about them than you might think! Fromtheir remarkable levels of adaptability, to their use of defensive tactics such as playing dead, possums are a unique species that will continue to captivate us for many years to come.
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