Baby opossums are born 13 days after conception and must crawl to their mothers pouch where they find a place to get their mother’s milk. This food source is like a straw that has barbs on it, that later drop off, and helps them stay attached in the mother pouch. They remain there for 70 days and then hang on the mother’s fur for about 20 more days. The mother can produce young every 100 days. They do not have a complex social structure and the life span of one animal is anywhere from 2 to 4 years. The males are mature at 8 months and the female can start reproducing between 6 and 9 months of age. The pouch gives the mother and her offspring a great advantage since the mother does not have a permanent or a continual need to return to take care of the young since they are with her almost all of the time. There is only a single week when the mother will leave the young in a series of temporary dens to forage for food. After that they are either riding on her back or running along side as she forages for meals. It is the simple essence of possums that make them successful, primarily because they are efficient feeders and breeders. Their strengths have nothing to do with large brains or intense social interactions, it is in their shear numbers, regular accidental encounters and in their ability to continually move around their habitat that makes them successful.
This geocache is placed in Highlands Hammock State Park with the permission of park management. All locations must be approved by the Volunteer Geocache Coordinator Sarah Straub (DTISarah@gmail.com) and adhere to the guidelines set by the park for geocache placement.
Vehicles are not permitted to park on any roadway within the park boundary. All vehicles must park within designated parking areas. The park is open from 8:00AM until sundown, 365 days a year. The admission fees are as follows: $6.00 per vehicle. Limit 2-8 people per vehicle. $4.00 Single Occupant Vehicle. $2.00 Pedestrians, bicyclists, extra passengers, passengers in vehicle with holder of Annual Individual Entrance Pass. Camping is available in the park as well.
Highlands Hammock State Park's Website
For more information about accessing cache locations please visit the ranger station to view a copy of Essential Eligibility Criteria for Geocaching at Highlands Hammock State Park.
Please remember to cache responsibly and stay on designated trails.