Opossum
 
The opossum is roughly the size of a cat; gray to black fur, black eyes, pink nose feet and tail with black leathery ears and pointed nose.  The opossum is the only marsupial indigenous to North America.
 
Opossums' have 5 toes on their front feet which are spread widely apart. From looking at the front feet alone, their tracks might at first be confused with those of a raccoon however the opossum's toes are spread out farther and their feet are smaller than the raccoon's. The tracks are usually in pairs with each pair having one front and one rear foot imprint which are always close or slightly overlapping each other. The tail will usually leave a drag mark on soft surfaces.  Opossums, as a group, they are among the oldest, most primitive mammals in North America.  Their chief characteristic is the pouch that develops on the abdomen of females. A female will usually carry and nurse her young in her marsupium until they are about 2 to 3 months old; then they are carried on her back another 1 to 2 months on her back whenever they are away from the den.

Opossums are primarily inhabitants of woodlands but are often found in prairies, marshes, and farmlands. In the western part of their native range they generally keep to the woody vegetation along streams and rivers, a habit which permits them to penetrate the otherwise treeless grasslands and deserts of west Texas.
Hollow trees and logs are preferred sites, but opossums will den in woodpiles, rock piles, crevices in cliffs, under buildings, in attics, and in underground burrows. Since they are not adept at digging burrows for themselves they make use of those abandoned by other mammals. They are very adaptable; able to live wherever water, food, and shelter exist. At home in trees it uses its prehensile tail to help stabilize position when climbing but they do not hang by their tail.

 The opossum is more or less solitary and strictly nocturnal, venturing forth to feed shortly after dark. Being omnivorous: It feeds on a variety of foods, including rodents, birds, insects, frogs, snakes, fruits, vegetables and carrion.
 
Mortality for a young opossum is high during the first year of life, Few live beyond the age of 1 year in the environment but they can live up to 10 years in captivity. Their normal life span may be as low as 2 years , the opossum is also the second most commonly harvested fur bearing animal in Texas, although the value of its pelt relatively is low.  Known predators include bobcats, foxes, coyotes,  owls.  When frightened they generally hiss or growl and show their sharp teeth and in some cases the female will fall over in a shock like state, thus the term playing opossum but, in reality, they are very gentle and placid animals. They prefer to avoid all confrontations and wish to be left alone.