Most of the opossums that I photographed with the camera trap toward the end of the summer and throughout fall were younger. I moved the trap to another location in December and caught this old timer a few times. Also known by their proper name of Virginia opossums, they are the only marsupials found north of Mexico. Nikon D810 with Nikkor 17-35mm lens (at 17mm) ISO 500, f/14 at 1/200th of a second, Cognisis camera box, trail monitor and remote flashes.
“They’re All Thumbs”
Called a hallux, each of the opossum’s big toes on its hindfeet are opposable; they stand apart from the other toes in a way that looks very similar to a human hand and thumb. The hallux provides the opossum with better grasping and climbing skills than most other mammals.Nov 24, 2020
Thanks Donna. Good info. I do like those pink little hands of theirs. I also read that they are susceptible to frost bite because their skin isn’t really protected from the elements.
“old timer”? This possum is only 4 years-old and still has a lot to offer. These hot young possums think they know everything, but they don’t have a sliver of the life experience this guy has. You think they know where to find a mealworm in Western Connecticut? I tell you, possum ageism is ruining our industry.
Actually, that would be an ancient opossum. They generally only live two years in the wild. Maybe it’s the same one I saw earlier in the year only it aged about 40 human years.
This is a great photo—especially with the clear shot of his hands! Having caught one in a live trap meant for something more nefarious, I can tell you they are not polite docile creatures! This may be why they do not have a “fan club”, and Louis won’t get too far with AARP..
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Most of the opossums that I photographed with the camera trap toward the end of the summer and throughout fall were younger. I moved the trap to another location in December and caught this old timer a few times. Also known by their proper name of Virginia opossums, they are the only marsupials found north of Mexico. Nikon D810 with Nikkor 17-35mm lens (at 17mm) ISO 500, f/14 at 1/200th of a second, Cognisis camera box, trail monitor and remote flashes.
“They’re All Thumbs”
Called a hallux, each of the opossum’s big toes on its hindfeet are opposable; they stand apart from the other toes in a way that looks very similar to a human hand and thumb. The hallux provides the opossum with better grasping and climbing skills than most other mammals.Nov 24, 2020
Thanks Donna. Good info. I do like those pink little hands of theirs. I also read that they are susceptible to frost bite because their skin isn’t really protected from the elements.
“old timer”? This possum is only 4 years-old and still has a lot to offer. These hot young possums think they know everything, but they don’t have a sliver of the life experience this guy has. You think they know where to find a mealworm in Western Connecticut? I tell you, possum ageism is ruining our industry.
Actually, that would be an ancient opossum. They generally only live two years in the wild. Maybe it’s the same one I saw earlier in the year only it aged about 40 human years.
Honestly, i’m tempted to report this blog post to the AARP. The American Association of Retired Possums.
This is a great photo—especially with the clear shot of his hands! Having caught one in a live trap meant for something more nefarious, I can tell you they are not polite docile creatures! This may be why they do not have a “fan club”, and Louis won’t get too far with AARP..
“Possum Mittens” would make an appropriate brand name. I can relate to cold hands.
Fetid creatures!