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Description

When: March 3, 2019

Where: Texel Zoo Oosterend Texel, The Netherlands

In case you were thinking we got really close to this joey, we actually did not - there was quite a bit of distance between us

Which makes this epic close-up look quite awesome to me

Species: Virginia or North American Opossum (Virginiaanse Opossum)

Latin name: Didelphis Virginiana

Originates from North America.

Current status: Least Concern

Did you know:

…They are more often simply referred to as “Possum”, yet they were the original animals named “Opossum”, their name deriving from a Native American language calling them wapathemwa, or white animal.

….The Virginia Possum is the only marsupial found north of Mexico.

…They are most noted for having originates the phrase “playing possum”, otherwise, feigning death from experiencing extreme fear. They are conscious as they lie on their side, eyes and mouth open, tongue out, and emitting a green, putrid fluid from the anus (to discourage predators). Meanwhile, the hear rate drops by half, and breating slows wih 30%, entering a near coma that can last up to 6 hours. This doesn’t mean they are docile; when faced with a lesser threat, they can be ferocious.

…Opossums have a very short life span, growing no older than 2 years in the wild, and up to 4 years in captivity, due to having few defenses against predators and apparently no beed to adapt to ensure longer lives. Females do have 1-3 litters a year, and with 13 available teats, can carry up to as many joeys in their pouch, though they may give birth to as many as 50 babies.

© Mouselemur’s Photography - Portegiesje

Our work is copyrighted. Do not reproduce, copy edit, publish, transmit or upload in any way without our written permission.

Leave a comment or approach us via note if you want to use our work as a reference.

More photos from Mouselemur : DeviantArt Gallery| Instagram | Wordpress

Description

When: March 3, 2019

Where: Texel Zoo Oosterend Texel, The Netherlands

In case you were thinking we got really close to this joey, we actually did not - there was quite a bit of distance between us

Which makes this epic close-up look quite awesome to me

Species: Virginia or North American Opossum (Virginiaanse Opossum)

Latin name: Didelphis Virginiana

Originates from North America.

Current status: Least Concern

Did you know:

…They are more often simply referred to as “Possum”, yet they were the original animals named “Opossum”, their name deriving from a Native American language calling them wapathemwa, or white animal.

….The Virginia Possum is the only marsupial found north of Mexico.

…They are most noted for having originates the phrase “playing possum”, otherwise, feigning death from experiencing extreme fear. They are conscious as they lie on their side, eyes and mouth open, tongue out, and emitting a green, putrid fluid from the anus (to discourage predators). Meanwhile, the hear rate drops by half, and breating slows wih 30%, entering a near coma that can last up to 6 hours. This doesn’t mean they are docile; when faced with a lesser threat, they can be ferocious.

…Opossums have a very short life span, growing no older than 2 years in the wild, and up to 4 years in captivity, due to having few defenses against predators and apparently no beed to adapt to ensure longer lives. Females do have 1-3 litters a year, and with 13 available teats, can carry up to as many joeys in their pouch, though they may give birth to as many as 50 babies.

© Mouselemur’s Photography - Portegiesje

Our work is copyrighted. Do not reproduce, copy edit, publish, transmit or upload in any way without our written permission.

Leave a comment or approach us via note if you want to use our work as a reference.

More photos from Mouselemur : DeviantArt Gallery| Instagram | Wordpress