Common Critters - Backyard Mammals - Marsupial of the Midwest

Marsupials are a group of mammals typified by carrying their young in a pouch. People often associate marsupials with Australis as well known marsupials include Kangaroos, Wallabies, Wombats, and Koalas. People often don't realize that a wild marsupial may be foraging in their yard by night or digging in their garbage. What marsupial is this?

The Midwest's only native marsupial and the only one native to the United States is the Virginia Opossum The Virginia Opossum can be found in much of the United States and in Mexico as well as some parts of Canada. It's highly adaptable and tolerant of human neighbors similar to other familiar mammals like Raccoons.

This particular Opossum was larger than a domestic cat but slinked elegantly under our neighbor's deck at dawn.

While the Opossum may look like an oversized rat to some, the cat-sized marsupial is something quite different. It is most active at night and is often struck by motor vehicles. Opossums are omnivores and will eat fruits as well as insects and small animals including nesting birds and their eggs. If you have a compost, fruit trees, or leave your garbage or pet food out at night, your yard may become an attractive foraging ground.

Opossum's leave really interesting tracks because their paws are specially designed for climbing and grasping. The tracks feature four toes similarly positioned to fingers with a thumb to the side. It's key to remember that features like this and their pouch make them distinct from rodents. They are unique creatures in North America even if they are widespread.