Friday, May 13, 2011

The white-eared opossum


As I entered the classroom today many of the students were gazing out of the second story window at the white-eared opossum that had found its way up to the top branches of the big american oak tree. Hiding itself among the orange and green autumn leaves she was moving her ears gently as aware of us as we were of her! 

It is a terrestrial and, sometimes, arboreal animal. It's an omnivorous mammal, feeding on invertebrates, small vertebrates, fruits and plants. It might have been feeding on the acorns, some snail, or simply feeling safe from the children way up at the top of the tree.
To us it was the perfect excuse to go into Science research and inquiry. This for the students who had just finished their English exam!