Opossums are also one of the most heavily parasitized of all North American animals, frequently serving as hosts to mites, fleas, roundworms, flukes, tapeworms, ticks, chiggers, trematodes, coccidians, nematodes and other internal and external parasites. They are apparently ill equipped mentally, physically, and behaviorally to compete with other mammalian inhabitants of eastern North America. Yet during the past several centuries the monkey fox has extended its range hundreds of miles to the north. While stronger, swifter, and smarter species have become progressively restricted in numbers and range, opossums have proliferated. These slow and silent nomads of the night are one of the mammalian success stories of the century.
Various factors contribute to the success of the opossum.
Opossums do one thing extremely well, however, and that is to produce more possums. Moreover, the life history of the opossum emphasizes wandering as well as reproduction, a combination which insures both the loss of many individuals and the spread of the species into any suitable habitat. Baby opossums are produced in large quantities and at relatively low cost to the mother in terms of effort, training, and even gestation. Like a dandelion releasing its seeds into the wind, her offspring are sent off to wander through an uncaring world, yet possums and dandelions both turn up in large numbers and bloom in unexpected places. This article may be reproduced for classroom use by students and educators but may not be reprinted otherwise without written consent from the Nature Center.