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Ecology of the Opossum on a Natural Area in Northeastern Kansas

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About This Book

The authors examine the ecology of the Virginia opossum on a 590-acre natural reservation in northeastern Kansas, where it is the largest permanently resident predatory mammal. Field work from 1949–1952 relied chiefly on live-trapping, yielding 117 individuals handled 276 times and recording 207 pouch young, with data on sex, weight, markings and capture location. Habitat is mixed second-growth woodland with rock ledges that provide dens, interspersed fallow fields and small creeks; activity concentrates along woodland edges, streams and trails. Results describe seasonal breeding and activity cycles, movements, diet, population turnover and predators, highlight nocturnal, omnivorous behavior, and note limited capture success due to secrecy.

About the Author

Fitch, Henry S. portrait

Henry S. Fitch

Henry S. Fitch was an American biologist and herpetologist known for his extensive research on the ecology and behavior of reptiles and amphibians. His notable works include "A Field Study of the Kansas Ant-Eating Frog, Gastrophryne olivacea" and "Ecology of the Opossum on a Natural Area in Northeastern Kansas," which reflect his commitment to understanding the natural history of species in their habitats. Fitch's contributions to the field of ecology have provided valuable insights into the life histories and environmental interactions of various species, particularly in the Great Plains and surrounding regions.

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