Backlit by a street lamp, an opossum shuffled across our road in the early morning darkness. It was no doubt hungry after riding out the big snowstorm in some abandoned burrow or tree cavity. While common in our region, this nocturnal wanderer has naked ears and tail, making it prone to frostbite.
Our country's only marsupial is a native of South America but can now be found as far north as southern Canada. Despite its tiny brain and poor eyesight, the opossum has achieved this expansion for two reasons: it is a prolific breeder and will eat almost anything. Though solitary by nature, opossums breed twice a year and females produce litters of 8-13 kits. Adults usually forage at night for insects, berries, eggs, worms, mice and carrion; they are, themselves, prey for fox, coyotes and owls (not to mention their major contribution to roadkill).
