Man Details Sweet Facts About Opossums Most People Don’t Know
Opossums might not be everyone's favorite animal. Some mistake them for huge rats due to their distinctive features, such as their sharp-pointed muzzle, teeth, and long, thick rat-like tail.
However, opossums are actually sweet, shy, and calm animals you can find in the wild but also in urban settings. One content creator is hoping to spread the word about just how endearing these creatures can be. He shared a video with some fun opossum facts last week, and it's since gone viral with over 12.5 million views.
Aww! I want an opossum. Look at how shy Horace is as he hides under Nathan's jacket and then looks into the camera with his big eyes. He's way too cute!
Related: Possum Going to Town on a Pup Cup Is Ridiculously Adorable
Clearly, there's so much more than meets the eye with these animals.
Fun Facts About Opossums
Here are some interesting facts about opossums you might not be aware of.
They're great for the ecosystem.
All those creepy crawlers that you can sometimes find in your apartment are eliminated by opossums, including ticks, which are known to spread Lyme disease.
They have a short lifespan.
This fact is not too much fun, but rather sad. They only live for 3 to 4 years. They also face many predators and are exposed to various diseases.
They're immune to some venom.
Venom from snakes, spiders, and bugs doesn't harm them.
They rarely get rabies.
Due to their cold body temperature, they rarely get rabies.
They play dead well when in danger.
They play dead when they're in distress and feel fearful, which is an involuntary response as their bodies collapse. And to seal the deal, they release a foul-smelling odor that will encourage any predator to run in the opposite direction.
They're native to North America.
Even though there are possums and opossums, the opossum is only native to North America, while the possum is native to Australia.
They're slow.
This shouldn't come as a surprise, but opossums are slow movers and use their tails for balance when walking and climbing. They just like to take their sweet time.
They're sweet and shy.
They're not as aggressive as people may assume. However, opossums are still wild animals, so whenever you see one in the wild, let them do their thing in peace.
Hopefully, this little information provided helps you view opossums in a different light.
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