At First I Thought It was a Rat…

At First I Thought It was a Rat…

The first thing I saw was the nose, then I saw the tail. The tail was fascinating with no hair and it was sticking straight out. It was carried straight and proudly followed behind. Then I saw the body filled with grey to black short hair.

The time was pre-coffee, in the early sunrise. I watched as this magestic creature went on a well beaten path – she even knew exactly where the steps were. She, of course, wasn’t a rat. She was of the race of the only marsupials in North and South America: an Opossum – usually shortened to Possum.

Marsupials are mammals which means that they bear young that suckle and develop after birth in the mother’s pouch. The only other country that has such magestic creature is Australia and its nearby islands with kangakoos, koalas, and many other marsupials.

I was quite impressed at how grandly she walked. She was very calm going about her daily routine that she obviously knew well. Her pace was stately and very fascinating.

Not only was I filled with admiration for such a beatiful creature, I was over-joyed because her and her family were living in my thriving garden, helping out!

Did you know that possums are good guys?

“Possums, often misunderstood and feared as pests, actually play a crucial role in maintaining the balance of our environment. These adaptable creatures have a range of unique traits and behaviors that make them essential to the ecosystems in which they live. From controlling pest populations to aiding in pollination and seed dispersal, possums are quietly working behind the scenes to ensure a healthy and thriving environment.”

Characteristics                                           Values
Natural pest controller                               Eat insects
Seed disperser                                             Help spread seeds
Pollinator                                                      Pollinate plants
Nutrient cycles                                            Aid in decomposition
Cleaner of forest floors                             Remove dead leaves and debris
Nocturnal                                                    Active at night
Low maintenance                                      Require minimal care and resources
Resilient                                                      Adapt well to different environments
Scavenger                                                  Clean up carrion and waste
Predator control                                       Hunt rats and mice

From an article on the Petshun website.

From another article on NWF Blog, “Opossums: Unsung Heroes in the Fight Against Ticks and Lyme Disease. Scientists have learned that opossums act like little vacuum cleaners when it comes to ticks.”

Best,
ILIA