Ecology of the Opossum on a Natural Area in Northeastern Kansas Part 3

In each of three different winters, the largest age group in the population of opossums was that of the newly matured young born in early spring. The old adults were the next most numerous group, and the second-litter young born in early summer were the least numerous.

The figures obtained from live-trapping indicate an annual population turnover of approximately 95 per cent, with some 70 per cent eliminated by various mortality factors and replaced by young, the remaining 25 per cent s.h.i.+fting to new areas, with compensatory s.h.i.+fts of individuals replacing them.

The various mortality factors which regulate the numbers of opossums are not well known, and even less is known regarding the relative importance of the factors. Food supply and weather are obviously of major importance and closely interrelated in their effect on the population. One large adult opossum that was trapped seemed to be dying from disease and was scarcely able to stand; but others caught near-by before and after were unaffected. The horned owl is perhaps the most important natural enemy of the opossum on the Reservation, and instances of owl predation on opossums were noted.

LITERATURE CITED

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REYNOLDS, H. C.

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1950. Notes on the life history and ecology of the opossum in southeast Iowa. Jour. Mamm., 31:331-337.