Opossum

Opossums have incredibly short lifespans—just 1–2 years in the wild and 2–3 years in captivity. Their early years are often fraught with danger, from speeding cars to backyard dogs that see them as unwelcome visitors. Many opossums become orphans, while others are mistakenly thought to be abandoned by their mothers. At just four inches long—from the base of their tail to the tip of their nose—these tiny marsupials are sent off into the world, or as we like to say, off to "opossum college."

Over the years, Animal Tracks has cared for many opossums. Because they are native wildlife, they only come to us when a health issue prevents them from surviving in the wild. As a result, many of our opossum residents arrive in less-than-perfect condition, but we make sure they receive the best possible care.

Few people realize that opossums are the only marsupials native to North America. Like kangaroos, females have a pouch where they carry and nurse their young. Even more surprisingly, opossums play a crucial role in keeping ecosystems healthy—they can eat up to 30,000 ticks in their lifetime! Since deer ticks are the primary carriers of Lyme disease, a thriving opossum population helps keep the disease in check.

Despite their many benefits, opossums are often misunderstood. Some people mistake them for large rats and dislike their bald tails. But that tail is actually prehensile, working like a fifth limb to help them climb and balance. In reality, opossums are nature’s sanitation engineers, quietly cleaning up the environment while we sleep. They scavenge for rotting fruit, pests, and carrion, reducing waste and helping maintain ecological balance.

Opossums are so discreet that you could go your whole life without ever seeing one in your neighborhood—but rest assured, they are there, making the world a cleaner, healthier place for all of us. Instead of fearing or shunning them, we should be celebrating these incredible little creatures!