BIRDS, MAMMALS and OTHER ANIMALS

Exciting pictures & detailed, specialized in-
formation on a wide variety of species and
their adaptations. Coverage includes birds,
primates,endangered, exotics,scavengers,
marine, nocturnal,aggression, learning,etc.

NOCTURNAL ANIMALS
Provides insight into the great variety of animals world-wide from molluscs to birds and mammals that have adapted a nocturn- al life style. 2 pgms. 40 slides, rich guides.
#439X SLIDES
$72.50

NOCTURNAL ANIMALS COLLECTION Order #439X .........$72.50

Illustrates and describes the various morphological characteristics and
behavioral adaptations of crepuscular and nocturnal animals. Prey capture, feeding,
nesting and breeding are discussed. Includes octopus, green turtle, rattlesnake,
salamander, peeper, limpkin, owl, opossum, armadillo, woodrat, flying squirrel, kit foxes,
wolf, raccoon, striped skunk, jaguar, bobcat, peccaries, deer, kiwi, bat falcon,
frogmouth, phalanger, sugar glider, bats, potto, bushbaby, douroucoulis, springhare,
porcupine, agouti, chinchilla, fennec, zorille, civets, jungle cat, leopard cat and aardvark.
40 slides and 2 guides. (Combines sets #439 and #440.)

CONTENT SAMPLE: 20057 "Playing 'possum' is a common phrase derived from the
reflex behavior of the opossum (Didelphis marsupialis) in feigning death when frightened, injured or
tired. The behavior is actually a nervous reaction somewhat comparable to nervous fainting in
humans and also occurs in other mammals, birds, snakes and insects as well. Its wide ccur-
rence across many animal orders would indicate that it has survival value; a Seemingly dead
opossum may be ignored by predators.

Predators of the opossum include humans, who use its pelt for fur trimming, foxes, dogs
and cats. In addition, sheep and rabbits compete with the opossum for food. With such predators
and competitors, few opossums live more than two years in the wild. yet the opossum has been
extending its range northward constantly for the past several decades. It is currently found in the
eastern and central states as far north as New York, Michigan, Wisconsin and Minnesota. It has
been introduced to the west coast where it also thrives. Various other species of Didelphis range
through Central and South America to the northern Argentine as well.

Opossums are common in almost all wooded and brushy areas. During the day they
shelter in burrows, under piles of dead brush or leaves, in rocky crevices, under logs, or in hollow
tree trunks, where they build rather crude nests of leaves and grass. They forage at night, when
competition and predation are lowest.

The opossum is the only native North American marsupial--placental mammals are most
common to North America; most marsupials are native to Australia. Born in a very immature state
after a gestation period of less than two weeks, baby opossums are smaller than honey bees at
birth. They immediately make their way to the mother's pouch, where they spend 60 to 70 days
nursing. After this time, they may emerge and cling to the mother's back. However, they return to
the pouch at the first threat of danger and continue to nurse for at least one more month before
dispersing. Opossums are solitary except at breeding time. The female opossum usually breeds
at the age of one year. In the north, only one litter per year is born and a maximum of seven, but
usually only three to five, young are reared. In the south, two litters per year are not uncommon.

REVIEWS: “Throughout...the common nocturnal characteristics such as large eyes and
ears, nonpredatory nature, and the structure of the eye are again stressed...clear and colorful...”
Previews.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


~1080-041~ North American opossum (Didelphis marsupialis). photo by Educational Images Ltd.

Copyright (c) MCMXCVII Educational Images Ltd., Elmira, NY, USA. All rights reserved.

EDUCATIONAL IMAGES LTD.

P.O.Box 3456 Westside Station

Elmira, N.Y., USA, 14905-0456

Telephone: 800-527-4264; 607-732-1090

Fax: 607-732-1183

E-Mail: edimages@edimages.com