THE OPOSSUMS 



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erally known as the crab-eating opossum. The general color of the fur may, in- 

 deed, vary through all the intermediate shades from black to white, while the hair 

 on the face shows an almost equal amount of variation, the northern forms being 

 almost wholly white in this region, while those from the south are darker, and 

 often nearly black. In all cases the pouch is complete, but the number of teats 

 may vary from five to thirteen. 



The range of this widely-spread species includes the whole of temperate North 

 America, and extends southward through the tropical regions of the other half of 



PHILANDER OPOSSUM. 



(One-half natural size.) 



the continent. In many parts it is one of the commonest animals, and may be 

 met with even in towns, where it lies concealed during the day in drains and 

 other lurking places. Its diet is a mixed one, comprising fruits, roots, birds, and 

 other small animals, eggs, and carrion; and it is reported to be very destructive to 

 poultry. With the aid of its prehensile tail, this opossum is one of the most expert 

 of climbing Mammals; and when caught, it has, in common with some of the other 

 members of its genus, the habit of feigning death. Like so many Marsupials, it is 

 extremely tenacious of life. The young are born in the spring, and comprise from 



