Opossum facts for the on-the-go Imgurian!

Normally. An opossum with rabies is incredibly rare. Opossums typically have body temperatures around 94 degrees farenheit, making it extremely difficult for the rabies virus to survive within this particular mammal.

Most people think of Australia when they hear the word marsupial, but North America boasts one species -- the opossum. What does this mean? Well, several things, but the most associated fact is that opossum young are born "incomplete" and must complete the gestation period outside the mother's body within the safety of her pouch.

This is why, when opossums get hit, people may check the animal's pouch. Sometimes the babies remain unhurt and can be rescued. Many opossums you find in captivity are rescues who were retrieved from their mother's pouch.

Due to some kid's shows, some people are led to believe opossum tails are prehensile and used to hold/hang onto branches. Their tails are in fact used for balance. You may see a possum wrap their tail around a person's arm or a branch they're sitting on, but this is just for stability. An opossum cannot support their weight or the weight of other objects with their tails.

"Playing opossum" is not an evolutionary tactic used to confuse predators, as observed in other animal species. Unfortunately, opossums are very easily spooked and have a nasty habit of fainting when frightened. This is how many opossums get hit by cars. The roaring engines and large size of vehicles scare them to the point of fainting, poor things.

Does your local opossum have a bad case of the googly eyes? No, it's not a prank by some determined college student. Opossums, for SOME weird reason, evolves to store extra fat behind their eyes. If you see an opossum with weird eyes, it's not a symptom of sickeness; rather a symptom of obesity.

"But they can't use pencils," you protest. "But they can't hitchhike," you insist. "WE AND OUR APE BRETHREN ARE THE ONLY ONES," you proclaim. Well, you would be wrong. Your biology class LIED.

Touch your thumb to your other fingers. That is what it means to have opposable thumbs. And guess what? Our buddies the opossums have them, too.

Opossums are omnivores, and eat a variety of foods. This includes vegetation, pests, and snakes. Though opossums frighten some people, and may get hissy when approached, they are very helpful little critters when it comes to keeping their habitat healthy.

Hope you learned something new!

Edit: Most viral! Aw, thanks guys.