Virginia Opossum (Didelphis virginiana)
The Virginia opossum (Didelphis virginiana) has 50 teeth, a prehensile tail, opposable thumbs, can play dead to escape predation, is resistant to most native venomous snake venom, but is incredible for so many more reasons than the ones just listed. Virginia opossum, out of the 126 species found in the Americas is the only marsupial animal known to inhabit the United States. The word marsupial is used to describe an infraclass of mammals whose members are born incompletely developed and are typically carried and suckled in a pouch on the mother’s belly until they are developed/mature enough to exit the pouch.
Nocturnal and Omnivorous
The breeding season for Virginia opossums in Illinois tends to be from late January to February, with many adults breeding a second time in May. Opossums are nocturnal omnivores, both used to describe their behavior meaning they are mostly active at night and are known to eat both plant and animal matter. These critters can be found in woodlands, near streams, brush or urban areas and are known for their climbing skills.
Nature’s Clean Up Crew
Not only is this marsupial incredible for adding diversity to the United States wildlife landscape as the only ambassador for its kind, but these animals are known for the roles they play in their ecosystem. As discussed previously, opossums are omnivores and a part of their diet includes such things as ticks. As an opossum walks through the woodlands where they live, ticks most likely begin to accumulate along the opossum’s body to take a blood meal, little do they know the opossum will soon begin to groom itself, and the ticks just made themselves an easily accessible snack to their host. Not only are these opossums ridding their environment of these pests, but also the infectious diseases these pests may carry, most endemic in this area would be lyme disease, but anaplasmosis and babesiosis can be considered as well.
The opossum is a poor quality host to these infectious diseases, meaning although the ticks who feed on them may be carrying these infectious diseases, the opossum has not been found to have contracted these diseases. Rabies is an important infectious disease that is also unlikely to be found in the opossum, due to its low core body temperature.
Importance in the Environment
In conclusion, the Virginia opossum is an incredible nocturnal animal, so their evening activities should not bother any outdoor day time activities, but they can also help to rid your yard of infectious disease carrying pests (that can transmit disease to your pets). If you happen to cross paths with one of these creatures, consider yourself lucky that they are in the area you are in, and let them go on their way as they have important business to attend to.
Written By: Sofia D., Class of 2026