Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1918-11-08
OPOSSUM

Tho opuS-uul well ,,.own in the
southern and central states, is trying
in every way possible to replace the
skunk on the retail fur market, and
some dyo.s have had Vcfy good sue
cess in that direction. Indications are
that the 1911-1S season will find them
in wide demand. as the use of the opos-
sum skin in imitation OF skunk has
made 1t a very good seller. 1t is fur
that the person in average circum-
stances can buy, so that the animal is
worth the while OF anyone 10 capture as
money-making venture.
A further spur to removal OF the
cpossum from The sphere OF life is tnat
every one so removed means security
Cor a multitude OF young ANIMALS,
-owls, birds. insects, roptlles and vege-
table matter as well. Should the AMI
NAL be caught by OF 10Y a colorcd
person it means also a very me meal,
lor there is nothing in the focd line
that approaches possum and sweet wee,
Iaters' for members of that race. The
chief value o. the catch is, however. the
EUR that goes with it.
The animal is of the smaller type,
with a form, habit and character pecu-
liar to itself. 1t is said to be native
of Virginia, and it is certain that the
tribe dwells most numerously in the
southern states. The head and body
measure about two feet in length, with
4 tail approximately 10 inches long. The
color is grayiSh white, slightly tinsed
with yellow, and there are scattering
hairs of considerable length, white to-
ward their base and brownish toward
the point 1t has a comparatively SOFT,
woolly under fur of rather coarse tex
ture. Its tail is almost barren OF hair.
The opoSSum may be termed cow
2rd without giving it serious oifensc.
1t doesn't love human beings or dogs,
but otherwise, according to popular DC
lief, has no especial fear of any living
thing, probably for the reason that most
other animals hold 1t in contempt. TO
satisfy hunger it does its proving at
night, going after nests of young birds,
eggs, smaller quadrupeds, being espc-
cially fond Of young RABBITS. It also
relishes cotton rats, mice, reptiles of
various kinds and insects. II these
fail 10 come its way in adequate sup
ply the 'possum will not shy from u
barnyard where there are young fowls,
and it takes wise man to devise sue
ccssfuI means for keeping it out, owing
to it's climbing and squeezing ability.
It likewise feasts on fruits and ber-
Tics, it's greatest delight being the per-
simmon on which frost has placed its
stamp.
Haste IS rot thing that characterizes
an opossum except i'll emergencies, and
even at it's quickest gait there are many
quadrupeds that can run over 1t in a
foot race. 1t moves awKwardly, as a
rule. taking on it's best speed when in
stinct warns it of serious danger. Should
il be only a dog in pursuit, the game
will climb a tree high enough to md a
limb Just out of reach of the pursuer
ara sit with cool indifference to the
barking. Let a man appear, however.
and il will climb to tho limit. II crowded
in pursuit and no large tree is within
reach. il will take to the best possible
enc, get tight grip upon limb with
its tail and swing head downward, ire
ouentiy doing this so near the ground
that a man can pull it down. When
brought down a favorite attitude is
that of a dead one" which has given
Use to the oft heard observation, play
ing 'pcssum."
The only time to hunt the opossun,
either for it's meat or it's fur. is the
autunin. At this time theya are in prime
cordition only for food purpose, a later
period being better for fur. A low order
Of Intelligence makes the animal very
easy to capture, either by means of the
chase or by traps. 1t will. in fact, walk
into the rudest devices designed to make
&c prisoner, but there are standard traps
Tor catching IL, just as there are for
other fur-bearing animals. No. 1s CIV
i7c best service. The animal is shpewd
enough. however, to make its nest In
rGirly we'll protected places, such as
INC hollow of fallen or standing tree,
- under projecting roots. Another evil
,'Cnce of more or less cunning is found
il known instances of it having seized
in similar abodes, after having eaten
such of them as it overcame in the fight
for its possession.
1t is comparatively easy to tame an
opoSsum even when taken at n mature
age. but the critical homekeeper would
TO an odor that is most offensive when
animal hrs Deen irritateQ.