North American Opossum Skull

$61.00

North American Opossum coats are a grayish brown, and their faces are white. They have long, hairless, prehensile tails, hairless ears and a long, flat nose. Opossums have 50 teeth, more than any other North American land mammal.

Description

North American Opossum Skull Replica measures 4.3 inches. North American Opossum Skull is museum quality polyurethane cast. Made in the USA. 2-part skull (separate cranium and jaw). Our precise skull can be used as a teaching tool, museum skull exhibit, home décor skull, or office décor skull.

The Virginia opossum, commonly known as the North American opossum or Didelphis virginiana, is the only marsupial found north of Mexico. In the United States, the animal is typically referred to simply as a possum. It is a solitary and nocturnal animal about the size of a domestic cat.

The North American opossum or Didelphis virginiana measure 13 to 37 in. long from their snout to the base of the tail, with the tail adding another 8.5 to 19 in. They are one of the world’s most variably sized mammals. Their coats are a dull grayish brown, other than on their faces, which are white.

North American opossum or Didelphis virginiana have long, hairless, prehensile tails, which can be used to grab branches and carry small objects. They also have hairless ears and a long, flat nose.

They have 50 teeth, more than any other North American land mammal, and opposable, claw-less thumbs on their rear limbs.

North American opossum or Didelphis virginiana are omnivorous and eat a wide range of plants and animals such as fruits, grains, insects, snails, earthworms, carrion, snakes, birds, mice, and other small animals. Persimmons are one of their favorite foods.

The North American opossum or Didelphis virginiana is noted for reacting to threats by feigning death. This is the genesis of the term playing possum, which means pretending to be dead or injured with intent to deceive.

The reaction seems to be involuntary, and to be triggered by extreme fear. It should not be taken as an indication of docility, for under serious threat, they will respond ferociously, hissing, screeching, and showing its teeth, but with enough stimulation, they will enter a near coma.

It lies on its side, mouth and eyes open, tongue hanging out, emitting a green fluid from its anus whose putrid odor repels predators.

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Additional information

Weight 2 lbs
Dimensions 4.3 in
North American Opossum Facts

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Infraclass: Marsupialia
Order: Didelphimorphia
Family: Didelphidae
Genus: Didelphis
Species: D. virginiana
Binomial name: Didelphis virginiana
Conservation status: Least concern