Maybe that's why they scream.

Why have long life when many baby do trick.

A lot of wild critters have shockingly short lives, but the difference is usually more notable when in captivity, or well cared for. Opossums seem to be unlucky.

Yeah i also just found out recently. Big sad, makes them kind of an emotionally complicated pet to have.

It’s one of the reasons people say not to get them as pets, lives shorter than rats sometimes :(