Escape Behavior of Virginia Opossums

1994/10/01 by Troy A. Ladine, Robert E. Kissell · 1 citation
Environmental Science · #Wildlife Ecology and Conservation #Species Distribution and Climate Change #Animal Ecology and Behavior Studies

paper · doi:10.2307/2426578

Abstract

-Escape behavior of Virginia opossums (Didelphis virginiana) was quantified along escape paths in relation to habitat, direction of release, number of directional changes, distance to a temporary refuge and type of temporary refuge. Data were collected from freeranging Virginia opossums dusted with ultra-violet paint dust. The number of directional changes (x = 4.0 ? 3.2) and the lack of randomness of directional turning indicated directed escape flight. Straight line: actual distance ratio indicated familiarity with the area. Temporary refuges were grapevines, kudzu, trees and ground holes. First temporary refuges encountered were not always the refuge used. Our data contradict earlier reports of the Virginia opossum being clumsy and undirected in its escape behavior.

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