They forage at night, when competition and predation are lowest. Born in a very immature state after a gestation period of less than two weeks, baby opossums are smaller than honey bees at birth. They immediately make their way to the mother's pouch, where they spend 60 to 70 days nursing. After this time, they may emerge and cling to the mother's back. However, they return to the pouch at the first threat of danger and continue to nurse for at least one more month before dispersing.
Opossums are solitary except at breeding time.
The female opossum usually breeds at the age of one year. In the north, only one litter per year is born and a maximum of seven, but usually only three to five, young are reared. In the south, two litters per year are not uncommon. All rights reserved.