Didelphis marsupialis Linnaeus, 1758

Size Comparison

The common opossum (Didelphis marsupialis Linnaeus, 1758) is similar in size to a house cat.

Fur Coloration

Its under-fur is yellow, but this layer is hidden by longer black guard hairs that cover the body.

Extremity Coloration

The tail, fingers, and face are lighter in color, and the tail has no fur.

Body Length

The total body length can reach nearly 20 inches (51 cm): the body alone is nearly a foot long, and the tail can grow to almost two feet long.

Facial and Ear Features

It has large ears that are usually black, and a face that is typically pale peach, with black whiskers and eyes that reflect a reddish color in light.

Family Size Ranking

This size makes the common opossum one of the larger members of the Didelphidae family.

Adult Weight

Adult common opossums can weigh more than three pounds.

Habitat and Altitude Range

Common opossums live in tropical and subtropical primary and secondary forests, at altitudes up to 2,200 m (7,200 ft).

Typical Nest Sites

They use a wide variety of nest sites, and most commonly build nests in tree hollows.

Alternative Nesting Behavior

If no suitable site is available, they will dig burrows or nest in any dark location, which often brings them into conflict with humans.

Denning Seasonality

They prefer denning underground, but spend less time underground during the dry season.

Predators

Their common predators include humans, domestic pets such as dogs and cats, and birds.

Female Reproductive Output

After reaching maturity, female common opossums produce between five and nine offspring one to three times per year.

Parental Care

The mother raises the young on her own.

Mating Behavior

Common opossums can mate during most of the year, and do not mate for life.

Litter Size and Survival

A female can give birth to up to 24 infants at once, but usually only one third of the infants survive.

Juvenile Development

Young opossums stay with their mother for the first few months of life, and reach maturity before they turn one year old.