These burrowing animals are native to South America but arrived in Miami
in the late 19th century and have since spread extensively north and west.
They consume primarily invertebrates but, unfortunately, will also
take the eggs and nestlings of ground nesting birds and reptiles.

Traditionally the Virginia opossum was utilized by less than affluent
Southerners as a dietary supplement. But since the arrival of the armadillo
the opossum has been supplanted in that role and are humorously referred to
as "possum on the half-shell".

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