There are some 70 different species of possums spread throughout the Pacific region. The common name for each species is followed by its binomial name. Opossums are one of the most common nuisance mammals in Colorado and Wyoming’s urban areas. Colorado . You can also own a possum, a sugar glider, and a hedgehog if you like. Opossum. The Opossums or possums are the small marsupial mammals that fall under the order Didelphimorphia. Virginia possums are nocturnal and enjoy a slow paced, calmer household as they are timid and frightened. The creature turns briefly to look at you and its beady eyes meet yours. You are pulling up into your driveway after a late evening out. Possums live all over the United States they are pesky and persistent nocturnal creatures most often seen as road kill. At night, when you catch sight of an opossum in your car headlights, you are allowed to think, 'That is one ugly little animal. Read on to learn more about opossum biology and Creature Control’s opossum removal services. Possums come from Australia but are entirely different from the opossum except that they both are marsupials. Maybe you live in rural Albany County, or perhaps in suburban Boulder or right in downtown Fort Collins; location is of no consequence here, for the opossum is found in rural areas, suburbs and big cities alike. This possum lives only in rocky outcrops and at night it climbs trees and shrubs to feed on flowers, fruit and leaves. Rock ringtail possum. The most common brushtail possum was first introduced to New Zealand and Australia for the fur trade. For situations where an opossum has wandered inside the home, Creature Control does offer 24-hour emergency animal removal service. 1. This list of mammals of Colorado lists every wild mammal species seen in the U.S. state of Colorado, based on the list published by the Colorado Division of Wildlife. The opossum’s normal life span is only 2 to 4 years, making it one of the shortest lived mammals. For shelter, they use tree cavities, brush piles, the dens of other animals, and even attics, sheds, and garages. Colorado has plenty of pocket gophers, prairie dogs, rabbits, ground squirrels, bison, badgers, and pronghorn deer. Other variations include the pygmy possums, the ring-tail possums, the trioks, and the gliders. It does not include species found only in captivity. They have been known to kill young domestic animals (e.g. Possums are flexible and adapt easily to various habitats. However, while possums do carry certain diseases, they appear to have a certain resistance to rabies. Colorado is a good example of a state where exotics are supposedly not allowed, but you can still keep very exotic animals like the iconic kangaroo, wallaroo, or wallaby. (2015). It depends on the perspective of the person asking the question. The local authorities have lately cleared many forests which were thought to be the primary habitat of opossums. In some cases the environment can be modified to deter opossum activity. Though rare, brown recluse spiders have been spotted in Colorado. The common name for each species is followed by its binomial name. Species in this list are grouped by order and then by family within each order. Watch as Michalani Poloa, 16, struggles to tame her two sugar gliders, aka nocturnal gliding possums, in this funny video filmed in Colorado Springs. Possums are small marsupials with thick, bushy tails, thick body fur, and a pointed snout and ears. Our staff is standing by to take your call. Problematic critters in the state are also numerous. (4 to 6 kilograms), according to National Geographic. It is because of their biolo… Opossums do climb trees, but contrary to the popular myth they cannot hang from their tails (though they do feign death when in danger, a trait that is called “playing opossum”). Give us the details of your issue and we'll get back to you shortly with information and how we can address it. Both are small to medium sized, omnivorous marsupials, but the similarities end there. Yo u have just encountered an opossum, one of America’s most prevalent scavengers. The opossum is most commonly found in areas with a lot of low lying cover and is well adapted to living among human dwellings in cities. People find frequent issues with raccoons, skunks, opossums, beaver, otters, armadillos, and squirrels. Colorado Wildlife Removal News: Unwanted opossum amount of animals have exploded in urban areas across the country in recent decades due to human actions, and Central Colorado is no exception. We are a full service wildlife removal company for Denver Colorado. The very same goes for quite bright lights shining regularly, which must make both possums and raccoons, think that it is day time and leave the areas. Opossums are about the size of small dogs. Species in this list are grouped by order and then by family within each order. To avoid them, be extra cautious when going through clothes and gloves that have been undisturbed for a long period of time. The Botstiber Institute for Wildlife Fertility Control Aims to Advance the Use of Effective, Sustainable Fertility Control Methods to Mitigate Human-Wildlife Conflicts and Promote Coexistence Worldwide. They also carry a whole host of vermin in their fur and a single opossum may be infested with fleas, ticks, mites, and lice. Unlike many other possums, it’s often seen in the company of its own kind. Possums will burrow to get into or below buildings, putting the structure of your property in jeopardy. Although opossums are carnivorous by classification due to their teeth, they are omnivores by diet. Possums are known to hiss and play dead AKA “playing ‘possum.” They are incredibly adaptable and can live anywhere in or underneath a dwelling. Use the links above the graphic to find more information about many of the offenders and be sure to check out our Problem Wildlife page for more details on other wildlife conflicts around homes and farms. It is not uncommon to see opossums rummaging through trash and wandering along roadsides in the evening. Yes. If you're bitten, contact a doctor immediately for proper treatment. They are about 2.5 feet (76 centimeters), nose to tail, and weigh 8.8 to 13.2 lbs. More Possums have ended up being a problem in numerous parts of the world, as they nest in your roofs, ruin your veggie patches, undergo trash and make a general mess of the home. With short legs and a stockier tail than most possums, it is adapted to life on the ground. N.B. John Smith spelled it “opassum,” but William Strachey spelled it “aposoum.” Possums, on the other hand, live in Australia, Ne… In North America, the animal officially called an opossum is a white and gray marsupial of the order Didelphimorphia. Opossums, like raccoons, will get into trash cans and other waste containers. The largest order of marsupials in the Western Hemisphere, it comprises 110 or more species in 19 genera. As you pull up the drive, the headlights of your car fall upon the trash cans by the garage, and to your dismay, reveal a awkward, large, roundish looking creature rummaging around in them. Possums sleep (during the day) in holes (called dens) above the ground, in hollow tree branches or building ceiling cavities, or at or below ground level. The following codes are used to designate some species: Order: Didelphimorphia   Family: Didelphidae, Order: Chiroptera   Family: Vespertilionidae, Order: Artiodactyla   Family: Antilocapridae, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=List_of_mammals_of_Colorado&oldid=992770211, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, This page was last edited on 7 December 2020, at 00:26. Their search for food can lead them wander inside unsecured homes or garages, where they become trapped. Opossums are naturally timid and try to avoid interaction with people and domestic animals. © Copyright 2021 Creature Control, All Rights Reserved, Mouse Control, Mouse Extermination and Rat Control, Building construction, remodeling and repair, Disinfection of areas contaminated by fecal matter. kittens). Opossums will also eat insects, frogs, various types of fruit, earthworms, garbage and even the waste of other animals. The Wildlife Rescue League states: “Opossums do not harbor diseases normally found in dogs and cats, such as distemper, parvovirus, or feline hepatitis. Though opossums are not dangerous, their extremely poor hygiene and the variety of diseases they carry means that homeowners should not get too close to them. To report a dead animal on the road, an injured bird, a lost baby squirrel, a dangerous bear, or anything like that, call animal services at (719) 473-1741 If they can't help, call the Colorado Wildlife Commission at … [1] Opossums are also a danger to young domesticated animals (i..e, kittens and puppies); because opossums are slow and timid, they are often attacked by aggressive puppies and kittens. English colonists living in Jamestown derived the word from its equivalent in Powhatan, a language spoken by the Virginia Algonquian tribe. Opossums originated in South America and entered North America in the Great American Interchange following the connection of the two continents. True … Opossums are primarily scavengers and will feed on carrion – in fact, many opossums are killed on the road while feeding on other roadkill. You can keep some native reptiles. To see how beneficial possums are in the USA, tap here Contact: john@fallingpossums.com (currently at our "Fall" office just down the road a piece from Boulder, Colorado, USA) ©2015-2020 falling possums, llc If an opossum is causing problems in your area contact Creature Control at 1-844-774-3284. Opossums can become a nuisance to humans because of their scavenging. It does not include species found only in captivity. Many Coloradans may not realize the famous Dog is from Colorado and used to operate his local bail bonds business here full-time before he moved to … This list of mammals of Colorado lists every wild mammal species seen in the U.S. state of Colorado, based on the list published by the Colorado Division of Wildlife. This is another frowny-face state if you are an exotic enthusiast. Possums are scavenger animals and will raid trash cans and any other containers. References. Although opossums are not usually aggressive, they pose several threats to humans. Different Types of Wildlife in Colorado Springs, Colorado. REPORT WILDLIFE ISSUES: (719) 473-1741. Because opossums eat fruit and can climb trees to get at it, they frequently contaminate apple harvests. Literally, the word means “white dog or beast” in Powhatan. The most effective response to most of these scenarios is to live trap and relocate the animal or manually remove it, if it has gotten into the home. Possums’ Range Virginia opossums are largely found throughout the southern Ohio, Kansas, Maryland, Illinois, Indiana, and Maryland. Exclusion Trapping (getting animals out of your attic or another structure). http://www.mrpossum.com/possum-noise-defence/The noise you may have heard when a possum is defending it's territory. Though opossums can breed at any time of year, the primary breeding occurs from December to February in Colorado and Wyoming, which means that the young become active anywhere from late April to early August. Their unspecialized biology, flexible diet, and reproductive habits make them successful colonizers and survivors in diverse locations and conditions. If you want to read similar articles to Possums as Pets: General Guidelines and Tips, we recommend you visit our Basic care category. Colorado: Kangaroos and Wallabies . Possums can damage and destroy yards, attics, and homes and leave behind fleas infecting your property. Once the tiny young are born they find their way into the mothers pouch, where they will remain for the following two and a half months to continue their maturation. Do opossums live in the desert? There are several dozen different species of opossum, which are often called possums in North America. Yes they still live in Colorado. Though opossums can breed at any time of year, the primary breeding occurs from December to February in Colorado and Wyoming, which means that the young become active anywhere from late April to early August. They can be found in woods, open fields, swampy areas, and near streams. Opossums are a carnivorous mammal that belong to the marsupial family; in fact, opossums are the only marsupial native to North America (marsupials are a class of animals that carry their young in a pouch after a short gestation period, the most famous of which is the Australian kangaroo). Gestation is brief, only 11 to 14 days; the young are extremely small, so tiny that 20 can fit into a tea spoon. Diego Astúa, R., et al. They also became part of the North America following the Great American Interchange. Like most animals that thrive in the urban environment, opossums are nocturnal, meaning they are active at night. When handling Possums they tend to be really smart, fast and unforeseeable. Petropseudes dahli. They are considered as one of the major marsupials that are found in the Western Hemisphere. It stares at you momentarily as the car pulls up before shuffling off slowly into the darkness, dragging its hairless, rat-like tail behind it. Opossum have a top running speed of only 7 miles per hour. Opossums may carry diseases such as as spotted fever, tuberculosis, relapsing fever, tularemia, toxoplasmosis, coccidiosis, trichomoniasis, and Chagas disease. Creature Control's experts are ready to help solve your animal problem. Pest Team Six 303-747-4395 has wildlife removal services to help get rid of wild pest animals. Subscribe to our YouTube ! It is near midnight. The opossum is a marsupial of the order Didelphimorphia (/daɪˌdɛlfɪˈmɔːrfiə/) endemic to the Americas. Their bites get increasingly painful over time with a potentially deadly venom. See the fact file below for more information on the possums or alternatively, you can download our 24-page Possum worksheet pack to utilise within the classroom or home environment. However, the opossum, if provoked, can easily kill these young with its extremely sharp teeth. They are natives of the South American region. Among the most well known of their respective types are the Virginia opossum and the brushtail possum. The Colorado Wildlife Act does not allow you to keep most exotic animals as pets; this includes wildebeest, wild hogs, raccoon, skunk, hedgehog, opossum, squirrels, porcupines monk parakeets, and primates. They belong to the marsupial order of Diprotodontia along with kangaroos , wallabies , koalas , and wombats . Opossums (commonly misspelled as “possums”) are common throughout the United States. If possums have actually found a way in to your garage or attic room and will not leave, blasting popular music from a radio is supposed to scare them away. Opossums can reproduce 1 to 3 times per year depending on climate and environment. Dog and cat doors are common entry points for opossums, who will wander in through these doors but do not possess the intelligence to find the exit again. When opossums come slinking… Opossums can become a nuisance … Call us for wild animal problems including bats, raccoons, squirrels, birds, skunks, voles snakes and all wildlife found in Colorado. This guide helps diagnose what's digging, tunneling, feeding, and otherwise disturbing turf grasses. This order consists of more than 103 that are further classified into 19 genera.