I was leaving for work while it was still dark out, went out the back door and saw mama possum with 4 babies on her back about 4' in front of me. While I was trying to unlock the door to get back in, she ran off down the driveway. I don't know who was more startled, her or me. I also had two skunks, both of which sprayed my dog and a badger. Of course, there were many squirrels, some who chewed through the soffitt of the back porch roof. I live in a small farm town southwest of Chicago which has since been swallowed up by suburbia.