The nocturnal opossum was introduced as a game animal to the San Jose area of California in 1895, for its meat and pelt. The oldest specimen collected in Bakersfield was from 1942, I have found no other evidence other than range expansion as to how it was introduced to Kern County. It is now found in all areas of the county except the desert. It prefers habitats near water, but does well in suburban areas with abundant vegetation. Their omnivorous diet includes insects, snails, rodents, berries, over-ripe fruit, grasses, leaves, and carrion; occasionally will eat snakes, ground eggs, pet food, corn or other vegetables.

The Virginia Opossum is the only marsupial (pouched mammal) native to the United States and Canada. There are 65 species of opossums in the New World. "Opossum" comes from the Algonquian word "apasum", which means white animal. Didelphis means double womb and refers to the pouch as a secondary place of development for the infant opossums. Virginiana refers to the state of Virginia where the opossum was first observed by English colonists.

With 50 teeth, the opossum has more than any North American land mammal. Possessing clawless, opposable thumbs on its hind feet, the opossum is quite agile in trees. The hairless, prehensile tail is used for balancing, grasping branches, and carrying nesting material. A common misconception is that the opossum hangs upside down on branches, it weighs too much to do this.

The opossum is a shy, solitary creature which hisses when confronted but may fall into a catatonic state when too stressed, this playing possum is an involuntary reaction.

Breeding 2 or 3 litters per year. leaf nest in cavity (hollow log, fallen tree, burrow, or other sheltered place)

Birth: born after only 11-13 days gestation. 20 embryonic young can fit into a teaspoon

Infancy: 1-20 young crawl up belly fur to pouch, only 13 nipples to attach to, so maximum litter is always 13, in pouch for 2-3 months to mature.

Juveniles: Stay with mother for 1-2 months after leaving pouch hanging onto back.

Adults: Length 64.5–102 cm; Tail length 25.5–53.5 cm; Weight 1.8–6.3 kg. House cat size. Female has fur-lined abdominal pouch.

Color: Grizzled dark gray and white, head and throat whitish, ears black with pinkish/white spots at tips, black eyes; pointed pink nose, feet and tail

Vocalizations: hiss, screech, and clicks all used to communicate.

Lifespan: in the wild average 1-2 years. 5 - 10 years in captivity. Predators include: humans (and their cars), dogs, cats, owls, and carnivores.

Little known adverse consequences to other wildlife. Occasionally the opossum carries disease that is passed onto humans, pets and wildlife. May bite if confronted. The largest population found along the Kern River especially at Hart Park. Members of the "Cat People" and other feral cat groups help to increase population of opossum and other wild animals by supplemental feeding of feral cats. This eventually will cause increased mortality and possible human health risks by overpopulating parks with animals that can spread disease through the mammal community like wildfire. Supplemental feeding of any animal living in the wild should be discouraged even banned. (Feral cats should be either adopted or euthanized for their and all other living things protection, my cats are not allowed outdoors).

Kern Introduced Species: plant list with a short introduction to exotic species    Kern Naturalized Animal Checklist    

Bullfrog    Virginia Opossum    Fox Squirrel    ROCK PIGEON    Spotted Dove    Ringed Turtle Dove    Eurasian Collared Dove    Rose-ringed Parakeet    European Starling    House Sparrow    Hodgepodge of introduced Species

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