The European opossum is a mysterious and elusive marsupial that not many people know about. If you’ve wondered what makes this nocturnal creature unique, you’ve come to the right place.
If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer to your question: The European opossum is the only marsupial found outside of Australasia. It is nocturnal and lives in trees, feeding on insects, snails, frogs and fruit.
Numbers have declined due to habitat loss and it is classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List.
In this nearly 3000 word guide, we will dive deep into the natural history, characteristics, habitat, diet, breeding, conservation status and threats facing the European opossum. You’ll learn everything there is to know about this threatened and intriguing mammal by the time you reach the end.
Identifying Features of the European Opossum
Physical Characteristics
The European opossum has thick greyish-brown fur covering its body with a white face and dark rings around its eyes. It has a pointed snout, bare hands and feet, a long scaly tail, and 50 sharply pointed teeth adapted for an omnivorous diet [1].
Fully-grown adults reach about 35 cm in length with a 20 cm tail and weigh roughly 1-2 kg. They have a life expectancy of around 4 years in the wild [2].
Behavioral Traits
The solitary and nocturnal European opossum spends most daylight hours resting in tree holes or leaf nests. At night, it slowly and deliberately wanders its territory of around 20 hectares searching for food while relying on its sharp senses of smell and hearing.
This species usually travels less than 2 km per night on average. It is quiet and timid by nature, preferring not to interact or compete with others. The opossum is known for ‘playing possum’ by mimicking death with mouth and eyes agape, drooling, stiff limbs, slowed breathing and a foul stench to deter predators [3].
Geographic Range
The European opossum was once found across central and western Europe but its range has shrunk dramatically in modern times. Today, small scattered populations totaling only about 10,000 mature individuals inhabit isolated pockets of deciduous forest and woodland in parts of southern France, northern Spain, northern Italy, and northern Austria [4].
This critically endangered species has declined due to deforestation, vehicle collisions, and predation but protective game laws have given it a chance for survival in Europe.
Habitat and Dietary Preferences
The European opossum prefers a variety of habitats across its range, including deciduous and coniferous forests, shrublands, pastures, orchards, and even urban areas (IUCN Red List). They are quite adaptable and can thrive in disturbed habitats as long as there is adequate cover and food available.
In forests, they prefer areas with dense undergrowth which provides nesting sites and protection. They have also adapted well to orchards and vineyards, nesting in tree hollows and feeding on fallen fruit.
The abundance of food in these man-made habitats likely supports higher population densities (up to 5-10 opossums per hectare) compared to natural forests (Biodiversity Data Journal).
Food Sources
The European opossum is an opportunistic omnivore, consuming a wide variety of plant and animal matter depending on seasonal availability. Important food sources include:
- Fruits – especially apples, pears, plums, cherries
- Berries – blackberries, raspberries, currants
- Nuts – acorns, hazelnuts, chestnuts
- Insects – beetles, crickets, moth larvae
- Small vertebrates – mice, voles, birds and their eggs
- Carrion – opportunistic scavenging on carcasses
Their adaptable diet allows them to take advantage of locally and seasonally abundant food sources (ResearchGate). For example, they feed heavily on ripening fruits in orchards and vineyards in autumn.
Invertebrates and small vertebrates likely make up a larger portion of the diet in spring and summer.
Reproduction and Life Cycle
Mating Season
The European opossum’s mating season begins in late winter and continues through early spring. Males will begin pursuing females as early as February. The peak of mating occurs in March and April. During this time, males will wander widely in search of receptive females.
Gestation Period and Birth
After successful mating, the gestation period for female opossums is quite short compared to many other marsupials. European opossums have a gestation period of only 12-13 days. In late spring, between the months of April and June, females give birth to litters of up to 9 joeys.
The extremely short gestation period means that joeys are born at a very early stage of development.
Early Development
Newborn joeys are essentially embryos at birth. They are just 0.2 inches long and weigh merely 0.007 ounces. These tiny, underdeveloped joeys must find their way into the mother’s pouch where they each attach to a teat. There they will continue to develop for the next 2-3 months.
Joeys remain in the pouch until August or September. At this point, they detach from the teat and begin to explore outside the pouch. However, they continue to nurse until December or January.
Lifespan
In the wild, the average lifespan for a European opossum is around 2 years. Most do not survive beyond their second winter. Predators like foxes and owls prey heavily on these small marsupials. Their exposure to predators combined with cold winters limits their lifespan.
However, in protected environments like wildlife sanctuaries, European opossums may live up to 5 years.
Conservation Status and Threats
IUCN Classification
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has classified the European opossum as Vulnerable on its Red List of Threatened Species. This means the species faces a high risk of extinction in the wild in the medium-term future. As of 2020, the European opossum population is decreasing.
Major threats contributing to its threatened status include predation by invasive species and continued habitat loss.
Population Numbers
Current population estimates for the European opossum are lacking. Historical accounts suggest the species was once abundant and widespread across parts of Europe. However, by the 1900s, numbers had already declined significantly from historical baselines.
Recent surveys have uncovered small, isolated populations scattered across several European countries. For example, an estimated 230 individuals were found across three sites in northeastern Italy in 2007. Small populations likely persist but remain undiscovered in remote forest fragments.
More research is needed to accurately census existing populations across the European opossum’s range. Establishing robust monitoring programs can support conservation planning for this threatened marsupial.
Major Threats
The introduction of non-native predators poses one of the most significant threats to European opossum. Animals like feral cats and dogs predate heavily on these small marsupials. For example, one study in Italy found predation accounted for 62% of opossum mortalities.
Ongoing deforestation and habitat loss also continue to threaten remaining populations and limit opportunities for recovery. Marsupials require intact forests and tree cavities for nesting and raising young. Habitat fragmentation leaves small groups isolated and vulnerable to extinction.
Increased interactions with humans and roads present emerging threats as well. Vehicles strikes and capture for the exotic pet trade may contribute to declines moving forward if not properly regulated.
| Threat Type | Specific Threats |
|---|---|
| Invasive Predators | Feral cats, feral dogs |
| Habitat Loss | Deforestation, agricultural expansion, development |
| Emerging Threats | Vehicle strikes, pet trade captures |
Conclusion
The European opossum is the only marsupial found outside of Australasia, making it a truly unique mammal. Under threat from habitat loss, this nocturnal tree-dweller has seen populations decline across its native range in Europe.
Hopefully this guide has provided plenty of details on the natural history, characteristics, habitat preferences, breeding patterns, conservation status and threats facing the European opossum. While elusive, it is a marvel of evolutionary adaptation worthy of our protection.
With greater awareness and habitat conservation efforts, hopefully the future of this threatened species can be secured.
