OPOSSUM (MARSUPIAL)
Opossums compose a family of many different species that live throughout most of the temperate and tropical regions of North, Central, and South America.

The only marsupial living in the United States is the house-cat-sized Virginia opossum. As is characteristic of marsupials, the female opossum's pouch serves as a refuge for the 13 to 18 newborns in each litter. However, only those able to find her 11 or so teats survive; the others are doomed to starvation.

Solitary except during the breeding season, opossums in the United States are most active throughout the night. They are excellent climbers and use their prehensile tails in their arboreal activities, such as when they hang from a tree limb while using all four feet to forage.