This has been a wonderful week for Thomasina Sawyer. Gifts of wonder poured in from Katherine, Babs and Bruce the Weatherman. I haven’t had to do any fence-painting myself in days. In this delivery, Bruce wrote: Brambles doesn’t know what to think of this ugly visitor. Aren’t they supposed to hibernate?
Well, I don’t know about you, but I think that possum is kind of cute. Sort of. Especially as it’s on the other side of the glass. And its tail doesn’t show in the photo.
To answer Bruce’s question about hibernation, I consulted my beloved Stan Tekiela. In Mammals of Michigan he writes that the opossum doesn’t hibernate, but “sleeps in dens for weeks during the coldest part of the winter.” He also writes that January and February are mating season, so it begins to sound like possum naps are like the naps Mommy and Daddy take.
Tekiela is full of information on possums. They have 50 teeth, “more than any other mammal in Michigan.” They are tough, surviving attacks from much larger predators, including cars. “Many opossums are immune to venomous snake bites and have a resistance to rabies and plague.” So there you have it, ladies and gentlemen. Possums, don’t mess with ’em. They mean it.
Torch Lake Views 
Kathy
February 23, 2010
Possums torpor during the winter. (don’t you love that word?) That would be so cool to view a possum out the window. He’s cute in an ugly sort of way.
Gerry
February 23, 2010
Now that you mention it, I believe that I, too, torpor during the winter. For that matter, even the dogs tend toward torpor, although they can always turn frisky at a moment’s notice. As they have just done. Time for their bedtime walk. Perhaps we’ll see a possum.
katherine
February 23, 2010
Maya was barking at the window one evening last week and I turned on the light outside and saw a possum under the bird feeder. The possum wasn’t in the least bit worried but Maya didn’t like it at all.
Gerry
February 24, 2010
Maya takes her responsibilities very seriously.
giiid
February 24, 2010
My wordbook writer never imagined that I would need to know what a possum is, unless “playing stupid” is its name…..
…I see now, Wikipedia just gave me an O, and that changed things a bit. This animal doesn´t sound like a welcoming guest. But the photo is enjoyable!
Gerry
February 24, 2010
I love these little cross-cultural adventures.
Cindy Lou
February 24, 2010
I do believe I’m in the ‘torporer’ class also….starting to feel the need to play outside and dig in the dirt ‘cept I can’t see any yet. I think I’m getting ready to shoot holes in my freezer!
Gerry
February 25, 2010
Clearly an advanced case of cabin fever. I recommend you grab a friend and head to the nearest high school basketball game. I know, I know, but it will perk you up and firearms are not allowed. You’ve given me an idea, though. Must wander over to Pine Hill and see if they’ve started work in the greenhouses yet. There is nothing like walking into a nice warm, humid, earth-smelling greenhouse at the tail end of a long winter.
Scott Thomas Photography
February 24, 2010
Another sign of Spring. Wildlife stirring after long naps. My cat stared down some big wild turkeys last fall. Amazing how rock steady a cat can become when he’s in hunting mode (not that either my cat or Brambles would know what to do if the glass wasn’t there.)
Gerry
February 24, 2010
I had to chuckle. Miss Puss would know exactly what to do. She once came home with a full grown rabbit, and on another occasion she stood off a large bird of prey that thought she’d make a tasty morsel. Miss Puss is small but fierce.
flandrumhill
February 24, 2010
We don’t have ‘possums here. Do they actually hang by their tails from the trees?
Gerry
February 24, 2010
I believe the tail-hanging thing is a myth. Possums do use their tails to grasp branches as they move about, but that’s about it. I am astonished to hear that there are no possums in Nova Scotia. What do you use, then, for roadkill?
flandrumhill
February 25, 2010
Porcupines are the most common fare on our Roadkill Cafe menu.
Gerry
February 25, 2010
Of course they are. I should have realized. (Miss Sadie approves. She has been on the receiving end of an unfortunate quilling, and is not fond of porkies.)