Opossum Anatomy

The opossums size is 76cm from head to tail and weighs 4 6 kg. She is in estrus a short period about 36 hours.

Virginia Opossum Description Habitat Facts Britannica

It is famous for this behavior hence the phrase playing possum the skull of the virginia opossum is characterized by a snout that is wider than the braincase and a pronounced sagittal crest.

Opossum anatomy. Opossum facts opossums have long pointed snout along with the opposable thumbs in the hands and feet. 4 rectus muscles 2 oblique muscles the levator palpebrae superioris and the retractor ocular bulbi. The average estrous cycle of the opossum is about 28 days.

Opossums are very good tree climbers. This trait is true of all marsupials. The dental formula for didelphis virginiana and all other didelphids is i 54 c 11 p 33 m 44.

This is the time mating can occur. The anatomy of the male reproductive tract of possums and gliders is similar to that of most marsupials. The virginia opossum is the only member of the genus that stores body fat and older males may exceed 6 kg 132 pounds in the fall of the year.

The length averages 322 in 855 cm and weighs up to 09 oz11 lb 255000 g. Sperm which has become paired in the male opossums reproductive tract will move through the lateral vaginal canals and become separate again in the females tract. Accessory sex glands consist of only a prostate and one or more pairs of bulbourethral cowpers glands temple smith 1984.

The muscules of the spine anatomy chart shows every one of the many layers of muscle in the spine and back using beautifully illustrated and detailed representations of the human anatomical structure. Testes are located in a pre penile scrotum. Eight extraocular muscles were identified.

The anatomy of the extraocular muscles was studied in 10 adult opossums didelphis albiventris of both sexes. The penis of the male opossum is bifurcated or split on the end. Water opossum has webbed.

There are five endoturbinals in the nasal capsule and the cranial cavity is characterized by large ethmoidal fossae and deep subarcuate fossae. Some species possesses tail completely covered with hair others have long naked tail. Virginia opossums have a long head and pointed snout rounded naked ears and a scaly nearly hairless prehensile tail that is about half of their total length.

Opossums belong in a family of didelphidae 3. It is interesting to note that on opossums the testicles are located in front of the penis rather than behind it. As a marsupial the female opossum has a reproductive system that includes a bifurcated vagina a divided uterus and a marsupium which is her pouch.

The female opossum is a spontaneous ovulator with an estrous cycle of about 28 days.

Virginia Opossum Description Habitat Facts Britannica