Opossum

Order: Didelphimorphia

Family: Didelphidae

Identifying Characteristics:

- Small to medium-sized marsupials, the largest can be the size of a house cat and the smallest can be around the size of a mouse

- long snouts, narrow brain case, and prominent sagittal crest

- Opossums have more teeth than any other land mammal

- prehensile tail (can grasp or hold)

Special Adaptations:

- Their unspecialized biology, flexible diet, and reproductive strategy make them successful colonizers and survivors in diverse locations and conditions

- opportunistic omnivores with a very broad diet

- They are usually solitary and nomadic, staying in one area as long as food and water are easily available