April 23, 2012

Playing Possum...

Did you know that there are opossums in New Hampshire? Opossums are the state's only marsupial. They have a long prehensile tail, like a monkey, that aids them in climbing trees. Although they can snarl and open their mouths wide when threatened, they also will feign death and "play possum." Most live out their lives within just a few hundred yards of where they were born. 


 In New Hampshire, opossums are at the very northernmost edge of their range. Opossums were once thought to not be able to survive such a cold climate, but they just keep plodding north on frostbitten feet.

1 comment:

TexWisGirl said...

they are unique looking animals. kinda ugly. kinda cute.