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+ + + + + + + MYSTIFYING
TWO POSSUMS SURPRISING WINTER VISITS
Having had more snow this winter
then in the past three or four years,
here in Pennsylvania, one particular March evening
around 7:15 PM EST and still a bit of day light,
with four inches of snow on the ground and a mix
of freezing rain or sleet to come around midnight,
Joe was busy on his laptop, and I decided to write
about two opossums who have been visiting here.
We have seen 'possums in our mountain area for years,
however never have any been right
outside our door and windows. That was surprising.
We feed birds and squirrels suet and bird seed daily.
The suet pieces fall to the ground as well
as sunflower seed, when they are eating.
For several days there was no snow on the ground
so the possums could find their pickings easy.
Now I do want to clarify one thing
... depending on where you all live,
some say opossums (which is the proper name)
but we just say possums.
Now for another surprise by these two who have been visiting here.
As most everyone knows possums are nocturnal.
At least that is what we are basically told.
However these two critters have shown us there
is more to their basic habits then we ever thought.
The first one to visit close to the house was about three weeks ago.
We have had snow off and on over winter, but when this one came the snow was gone.
Another surprise is that this one came while it was still DAYLIGHT, around 5:30 PM one evening.
It hung around one of our huge oak trees, nibbling at the pieces of suet
and seed on the ground. It was a large possum about ten to twelve pounds,
and had a lot of white colored fur on it's gray body.
When it was finished it moseyed into the woods.
Several nights later the motion lights came on
and this is when we saw the smaller possum.
All gray color and Joe noticed it's pink toes. It came right close to the door
where our Rose of Sharon bush is. We put suet cakes in this bush
for the birds, so little Possum as we call him,
was enjoying the tidbits on the ground beneath the bush.
Because this one is so much smaller,
we have now decided the other one "might" be
a momma, because she was large around the middle.
They have young twice a year.
Several days ago we got snow and last evening around six and still daylight, both of them were here, at the same time.
One at the bottom of the big oak tree, and one under the Sharon Bush.
When they were done clearing out the snow, and enjoying what they ate, they each moseyed off in different directions.
This morning Tuesday March 19th we shoveled
off the walks and their footprints.
Will we see them again, we think so.
Will we see our black bears again, we hope so.
The last time we saw them was June 2012. Tomorrow March 20th, is the first day of spring.
Our crocus are blooming, the daffodils are ready to open.
Our pair of robins have returned,
and the male goldfinches are starting to show their gold color.
The azaleas and other bushes and some trees are coming to life
after a long winter's sleep.
Soon God's mountain will spring forth with beauty and wildlife.
Doing some research we have come to learn about 'possums.
Their habits/traits and why
these two came out while still day light.
According to this website:
SOURCE: http://opossum.craton.net/faqs.htm
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Do opossums hibernate during winter?
Opossums do not hibernate.
Their greatest challenge during winter,
especially in colder climates, is simply to survive.
Very often opossums will alter their foraging habits
during winter, coming out during the day when it is warmer rather than at night.
It is not uncommon for opossums in northern regions to suffer frostbite during
extremely cold periods. Their tails are particularly susceptible to frostbite as they have no fur covering to protect them.
Sometimes opossums can be found relocating to basements or garages in order
to escape the cold. The only way to prevent this is to make sure all openings are fully covered.
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Song Title: Mystifying
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