Opossum in the Native Habitat Garden

A Virginia Opossum (Didelphis virginiana) was seen strolling by the pond in the Native Habitat Garden on Christmas Eve.

Virginia opossums are the only species of marsupial native to North America, ranging from Canada to Costa Rica. They have become accustomed to human settlements and can be spotted in cities and urban areas as frequently as they are seen in the forests and countryside. Due to their low body temperature, it is extremely rare for Virginia opossums to contract rabies, distemper, and other viruses that affect placental mammals, but that does not make them safe to interact with. They can still carry other diseases, like leptospirosis or tuberculosis, and host parasites, like fleas and ticks.

Photo by Bill Moses, Native Habitat Garden Pond - Hawk Mountain Sanctuary.