Opossum

 
 

Opossums are medium-sized (24-35") animals with long, coarse fur, slender muzzle, priminent, naked ears, short legs, and a long, grasping tail covered with scales and a few haris.  Hind feet have a clawless, "thumb" that opposes the other digits.  The opossum is predominately grayish-white with the fron and hind quarters darker and the belly white.  They are found throughout most of hte U.S., except for the Rockies and some of the northern plains.  They live in woodland areas near streams, especially open woodland near farms.  Opossums are nocturnal, to they are rarely seen except at night.  When approached, they often "play 'possum" or feign death.  Opossum eat a wide variety of foods but prefer animal matter, especially insects, and will scavenge another mammal carcass.  They also eat frutis and some cultivated grain.  Lots of things eat opossums, including foxes, coyotes, bobcats, and great horned owls.  they are also common roadkills.  Opossums have marsupial development and females have a pouch.