Possums, or Opossums as some call them, are mostly tree dwelling marsupials with prehensile tails. They possess pointed features, beady eyes, upright ears, and coarse gray fur. After emerging from their mother's pouch after an average of 2 to three months the possum will grow to the size of a housecat (generally 3 feet long and weighing 10 to 15 pounds) and live a short lifespan of three or so years. They move about and feed mostly at night; possums usually just want to be left alone.

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Possums will eat almost anything: from roadkill to insects, fruit, vegetables, and other plants. They come into contact with humans usually when foraging about the property, eating the food left out for the dog or cat, or digging in the garbage can. Possums will also burrow under house foundations to make nests on occasion though many times they will use an existing hole or the burrow from another animal. They tend to stay where food and water is plentiful and can be either a solitary possum or a family group; usually a mother with her young.

 
Possum held by the tail

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Possums give birth to a large number of young after a two week pregnancy with a mating season that lasts from winter into summer. The young crawl into the mothers pouch where they spend the next two to three months. When a group of possums are seen it is usually a mother with her latest litter. These will spend several months with their siblings and mother and will they usually go their own solitary way. Possums have been known to carry spotted fever as well as host to fleas, ticks, and mites which can also carry diseases. Possums do have a lower incidence of rabies than most wild mammals.