Virginia Opossum (Deep Heather)

Sport this stylish graphic tee proudly and show your love for a species that makes the Blue Ridge Mountains so special!

With your purchase you are supporting Blue Ridge Discovery Center's mission to inspire curiosity, discovery, and stewardship through the wonders of the Blue Ridge.

The Virginia opossum (Didelphis virginiana) is North America’s favorite, and only, marsupial. As a primarily nocturnal animal, the opossum can be hard to find. Hollow logs, tree crevices, and burrows are the perfect daytime nap spot. The name opossum is derived from the Algonquian word “aposoum,” meaning a white beast. This refers to the white fur on their face, not their shaggy gray body. Opossums are uniquely shaped with a long, pointed snout ending in a nose, unproportionally short legs, and a thick, scaly tail nearly as long as their bodies. This prehensile tail has the strength and dexterity of a limb, and is great for holding on to branches while climbing. Opossum joeys are born after less than two weeks and are just about the size of a dime. After climbing in mom’s pouch, they spend two months drinking milk and then hitch a ride clinging onto her back for another two. Opossums are resourceful generalists, meaning they will live almost anywhere and eat almost anything. They’re known for surviving predator attacks by playing dead, or playing opossum. When startled or stressed, possums involuntarily collapse with their eyes and mouth open and miraculously recover when the danger passes.