This one looks old enough to venture away from Mama's pouch, even if only briefly, if it couldn't, it would still be attached inside Her pouch.

Actually Vic, I got curious enough to look things up. There is about a two month period during which possums are out of the pouch, but still with their mamas. The mama carries her young around on her back for this period of time.

Here is a picture that illustrates this unique period in possum development.

Poor mama!!! That doesn't look fun.

When a baby possum (or "joey") is about four or five months old, he leaves his mama.

Based on this, I'm guessing our two little visitors from the other night were litter-mates and at least 4 - 5 months old.

I like possums.

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Boy talk about carry on baggage that's the max.

They're actually "opossums" arn't they?

Sorry, but lazy language there Angela.

And totally different from the actual "possums" that we have here down under?

Cheers.

Here in the lazy USA, I believe that the terms opossum and possum are interchangeable.

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Here in the lazy USA, I believe that the terms opossum and possum are interchangeable.

Yes... :-)

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TimeLord04
Have TARDIS, will travel...
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Join Calm Chaos

They're actually "opossums" arn't they?

Sorry, but lazy language there Angela.

And totally different from the actual "possums" that we have here down under?

Cheers.

Officially they are opossums, but it is acceptable in common speech to drop the "o."

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~Sue~

Now remember that these forums are international and by dropping that "O" all you are really doing is confusing others from countries where neither of those critters live as they'll be searching for details on these critters and getting the wrong answers.

See what I mean? ;-)

Cheers.

Still arguing for the sake of an argument Chris?

How sad. :-(

Cheers.

Here we call opposums pouch rats:)

Are there many in Sweden?

During Tertiary there was many.
Today I don't know.
I have not counted them:)

Note they play pretty good dead. LOL we had some on upstate New York but I don't recall of many of them.
I remember Wiggo talking about them around his house, we never had a problem but we had 2 dogs which might account for that.

I was sitting in the park after dark and 2 dear came up trimming the bushes around me, it was dark enough my camera couldn't get a picture.

I STAR WATCH AND ALSO A GOOD PLACE TO GET AWAY FROM EVERYONE.

I do this almost every clear night for a few hours, I have my telescope and cameras also.

on your part I know they play dead, I always knew that. I can't drive anymore so I just take my scooter over to the park which is just a short shot over.

Ok, I'll let you off. In Sarf Lunnon a bloke in the park with a camera after dark would invite the attention of Mr. Plod :-))

Does "In Sarf Lunnon a bloke in the park" means "in Southern London a dude in the park" by any chance?

Only a handful around you way Angela, you are lucky.

Is the green on the map that you posted indicative of range? If so, per your map, the SF Bay Area is comfortably within opossum/possum territory. Eric and I frequently see adult opossums/possums in our back yard at night, but we had never seen babies before.

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well I'm north of SF and the only ones I seen up here is real road kill.
Live ones I haven't seen here but in Up state ny we had lots of them.
I can't get out like some people anymore which I really love to,
to enjoy the woods like as a kid. heck I can't walk down a hill without a railing.

color me worn out!

Only a handful around you way Angela, you are lucky.

Is the green on the map that you posted indicative of range? If so, per your map, the SF Bay Area is comfortably within opossum/possum territory. Eric and I frequently see adult opossums/possums in our back yard at night, but we had never seen babies before.

Down here a couple weeks ago, saw a mom with a litter on her back crossing the street a few doors down the road as I was getting home from work. I know they are all over down in the LA area.

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Member of the People Encouraging Niceness In Society club.

Lol :)

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Member of the People Encouraging Niceness In Society club.

That's good news Vic - I hope all goes well for you.

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Bob Smith
Member of Seti PIPPS (Pluto is a Planet Protest Society)
Somewhere in the (un)known Universe?