THE OPOSSUM.
The opossum is the only American member of the family of pouched
animals. Only one species is found in this country although others
are found in other parts of the world. Of the American species,
naturalists have discovered three varieties, namely the Virginia
opossum, the Florida opossum and the Texas opossum, all very similar.
The Virginia opossum is the most common and the most widely
distributed, being found as far north as Pennsylvania and Ohio and
from there westward to Nebraska and southward. In the southwest the
Texas opossum is found.
In general form the opossum resembles the house rat but is much
larger. The tail is almost bare and is prehensile, that is, it is
capable of holding on to anything which it encircles. The muzzle is
long and pointed, the ears bare.
In color this animal is generally a grizzly gray but some specimens
are much darker than others. The fur is long, soft and fluffy.
The opossum dens in the ground and the abode is usually located under
a stump or rock. The burrows are shallow and terminate in a larger
cavity lined with dry leaves. They also sometimes locate in hollow
logs. They are found only in timbered districts and are active
climbers. Their food consists mainly of mice, eggs and young birds
and insects, but they are also fond of poultry and almost any kind of
flesh, fresh or tainted. They are not strictly carnivorous as they
feed on persimmons, paw-paws, polk berries and other wild fruits.
They are slow moving and stupid creatures and have no means of
defending themselves against their enemies. It is true that they do
have a habit of feigning death when frightened but this trick is of
no value in case of an attack from other animals, for no wild animal
would be deceived, and even if it were, there would be no hope for
the opossum for it would only be a case of a meal already prepared
for the attacking animal. On other occasions instead of feigning
death the animal will open its mouth and present a rather fierce
appearance, but there is little danger of them biting.
While the opossum is not a hibernating animal it remains in its den
during cold weather. It is a southern animal and the severe winters
in the northern parts of its range are not to the animal's liking,
They are most active on warm, damp nights for they do not like to
move about when the weather is dry and the leaves are rustly.
They are very prolific, bringing forth from six to twelve young at a
litter and in some cases even more. When newly born they are very
small and imperfectly formed and are carried by the mother in the
pouch on the under side of the body until large enough to travel.
They become prime about the second week of November in the North and
remain in good condition until March. In the South they do not become
prime until about December 1st and commence to shed much earlier than
in the North. The fur is not a very valuable one but there is a
growing demand for the flesh which is used as food and in many places
will meet with ready sale.
I recommend the No. 1 trap for this animal and those of medium
strength of spring only, as the opossum's foot and leg is tender, and
if the bones are broken the animal is likely to escape. They do not
struggle much, however, and comparatively few escape from the traps.
I set my traps in the thick woods, usually in the gullies also along
the edges of the woods, along fences, etc. The opossum is possessed
of no cunning whatever, and no special care is needed in setting the
traps if this animal alone is expected, however, it is always best to
use care in setting for the most stupid animals, as one never knows
what animal may pass that way. Whenever possible I place the trap in
a natural enclosure, such as a hollow in the side of a stump or tree,
a hollow between two spreading roots, an opening among rocks or in a
hollow log. Failing to find any such place I construct a small
enclosure of stakes, bark, stones or pieces of rotten wood, whichever
is most convenient, and set the trap in the entrance nesting it down
and covering with whatever is found nearby.
The trap may be staked, stapled or fastened to a clog. For bait I use
rabbit, fowl, muskrat or small birds of any kind. Bait may be fresh
or tainted as the opossum is not particular. I have heard of many
fancy sets and baits and have given some of them a trial, but find
the method given above to be the most satisfactory.
Opossums will sometimes be caught in traps set for skunks, foxes and
other animals and there are probably more of them caught in such sets
than in any other. They may also be caught in wooden traps.
I have caught these animals in traps set on logs spanning the
streams, also at the entrance of the dens, but if I were setting
many traps for opossums I would use the above method mostly. The
opossum makes a wandering, aimless sort of trail, quite broad for
an animal of its size and the toes are turned outward in walking.
The footprints of the average opossum will measure about one and
one-fourth inch in diameter--that is, the front foot--the print of
the hind foot being from one-fourth to one-half inch larger.
[Illustration: The Lynx.]