March-supial

 

While working from home today, Eric noticed a small Opossum (Didelphis virginiana) walking quickly along the fence in our backyard.  The Opossum made its way to the far back corner of the yard and then paused.  We could hear it chewing on something, but couldn't see what it had found.  The Opossum was below some fruit trees, so perhaps it discovered an older fallen plum?

Eventually the Opossum turned, looked around, and started back the way it had come, providing an excellent view of its wonderful ears, grizzled fur, pink toes, and long tail:

 

Perhaps you can tell that this Opossum is quite small — its body (without the tail) was only ~7-8 inches (17-20 cm) long.  We've seen Opossums in our yard before, but it's been a while.  Here's a photo from August 2016 in a post called "Looking for summer fruit."

Looking for summer fruit

 

Recently, this Opossum (Didelphis virginiana) has been visiting our backyard in search of fruit, especially nectarines.

Although it might be hard to tell from the picture, this is a small Opossum, with a body length (not including the tail) of only about 6-7 inches.  From information we can find, an Opossum this size is about 5-6 months old, and probably left its mother fairly recently.

A few Opossum facts:

- Opossums are currently the only marsupial found in the United States, but millions of years ago there were many other types of marsupials living here.

- Amazingly, when an Opossum is born, it's only ~14 mm long (smaller than a dime)!

- An Opossum spends ~1-2 months in its mother's pouch, and then another 1-2 months hanging on to her back.

Mystery sound in the backyard

I wasn't going to post tonight, but then something happened and I couldn't help myself.

I'll post a sound clip first to see if you can identify the sound.  I realize this is basically impossible, but I thought you might like to consider the possibilities.  It might take an entire posse of listeners to figure this out!

[If you're reading this in an e-mail, click on the title of the post to access the sound file.]

Below is a place holder picture, while you think about the sound above.  Feel free to replay it a few times, if needed.  (Be sure to turn up your speakers, or wear headphones.)  The answer will be revealed after the next photo.

 

Okay, do you have a guess about the sound?  Do you possibly need some hints?  

The sound involves chewing and slurping...by a mammal that I haven't posted about yet.

The mystery sound is:

 

An Opossum (Didelphis virginiana) eating a peach!

We had been hearing a sound in the backyard at night.  Tonight it was very loud, so we went out to look around and spotted this Opossum under a peach tree.  It was just starting to eat a very ripe peach, and seemed very focused on the task.  So I got my recorder and documented the sound of the Opossum eating, and then I came back with a camera and took a couple of quick pictures in the dark.

The Opossum has been enjoying some very nice late-night snacks!