Opossum

The opossum is the only marsupial (or pouched mammal) in Wisconsin. They have hairless, prehensile tails which they can use to grasp tree branches. They have the most teeth, 50, of any North American mammal. Male opossums average 6-7 pounds, though females tend to be smaller. Opossums may have 5-13 young, though when they are born, the whole litter can weigh less than a penny. Opossum are omnivorous, meaning they will eat any plant or animal they come across. Historically a southern species, the range of the opossum is creeping northward, though opossum’s ears in the north will often show signs of frostbite. Grinners, as opossums are sometimes called in the trapping world, may be harvested year-round in Wisconsin with the appropriate license.

Opossum