How many babies can a female opossum have at one time, according to typical records?

• A. Up to 13
• B. Up to 7
• C. Up to 5
• D. Up to 9

Answer: (A)

The number a female opossum can have at one time is limited by how many teats she has to feed each newborn. In Virginia opossums, there are about thirteen teats, and after birth the tiny joeys must crawl to a teat to nurse. Because each teat can support only one youngster, the pouch can typically hold up to around thirteen babies at once. While a female can give birth to more than that, only as many joeys as there are teats can be sustained in one litter, so 13 is the practical upper limit you’ll see in typical records.