While no animal typically gives birth to exactly 100 babies in a single litter, the Virginia Opossum can give birth to a very large number of offspring, sometimes exceeding 100.
Virginia Opossum Reproduction
The Virginia Opossum ( Didelphis virginiana) is a marsupial native to North America known for its high reproductive potential. Here's a breakdown:
- Litter Size: A female opossum can give birth to a litter of up to 20 or more babies.
- Gestation Period: Their gestation period is incredibly short, lasting only about 12-14 days.
- Multiple Litters: They can have 1-3 litters per year.
- Number of Offspring Born: A female opossum can give birth to over 100 offspring in a lifetime. A single birth can be around 108 babies, although many do not survive.
Why so many?
Opossum babies, called joeys, are incredibly small at birth, about the size of a bee. The mother has only 13 teats in her pouch, so not all joeys will survive. Competition for these limited resources is fierce, and many joeys do not make it past the first few weeks.
Key Takeaway
Although the Virginia Opossum is known to give birth to a high number of offspring (sometimes over 100), the answer is not exact. Many of these offspring do not survive. The opossum births the highest number of babies in relation to other animals.
