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Jeff Dorris

Deliberations from Dorris

Jeff Dorris is the Editor of the Delta Dunklin Democrat

Editorial

Possums

Saturday, October 22, 2022

Possums.

Never been big on them.

My dear friend, JoNell Minton, actually has a bit of a phobia towards them.

I can understand that to some extent. They do resemble a big rat as they scurry across the road at night.

Our little dog, Molley, cornered one in our backyard this week, so I got an up close and personal look at these nocturnal creatures.

Still not big on them.

There are a few things to admire though concerning the possum.

They are survivors.

Fossil records indicate that relatives of the possum were once scampering around trying to avoid dinosaurs. Countless animals have become extinct since that time, however, possums have survived.

Impressive.

The possum has the distinction of having more teeth, 50, than any other North American mammal.

Have you ever wondered if a possum can actually hang upside down by its tail as depicted in cartoons?

Well, it’s true they can.

After a possum fell out of a tree at my feet a few years ago, I too, almost developed my friend’s phobia.

Possums are everywhere.

You see as many in the city as you do in the country.

They also eat rodents and insects which helps to decrease the number of these pests.

Still not big on them.

I asked an old man one time if he likes possums.

Only with sweet potatoes, he replied.

See you out there.

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