Virginiana is the Latinized form of the state of Virginia, source of the first scientifically described opossum. Opossums are found throughout most of North America, from southern Canada to Mexico.
Opossums are gray with long pointed noses and hairless ears and tail.
Males can weigh between 1 and 13 pounds, but average around 5 pounds. Owing to their unique marsupium, the birth of opossums is particularly fascinating. Female opossums can have up to two litters per year with sizes ranging from one to 17 newborns per litter. You could fit an entire litter into a teaspoon. After emerging from the uterus, the newborns have to climb one to two inches from their mother's vulva to the pouch where they attach themselves to one of 13 nipples.