Must see video: 'OctoPossum' runs through Astoria yard with clinging joeys

ByMike Waterhouse WABC logo
Friday, May 20, 2016
OctoPossum spotted in Astoria
Watch video of what an Astoria couple is calling "OctoPossum."

ASTORIA, Queens (WABC) -- A couple from Queens captured video of a remarkable sight -- something they're calling "OctoPossum." And it's not something you'd expect to see in New York City.

Gene Gray and his wife, Heewon Lee Gray, recently moved into their apartment in the Upper Ditmars neighborhood of Astoria.

They decided to open up their doors to take in the nice weather Tuesday morning while going through their morning routines, when out of nowhere, Heewon Lee saw something moving outside.

"My wife said, 'Gene, OMG... What is that?'" Gene Gray told Eyewitness News.

The couple looked a little closer and realized it was an opossum, carrying eight young joeys - the name for baby opossums.

"I guess the opossum thought it was a nice day as well and decided to take the kids out for a walk," Gray said. "I grabbed my iPhone and after fumbling was finally able to capture the footage."

(Click on the video player above to watch the video)

The moment was brief, but quite an experience for the Grays.

"Poor OctoPossum looked wiped out, but the little ones held on tight," said Gene Gray.

Gray said they watched the video over and over to figure out exactly how many joeys were gipping their mother's back. When they came up with eight, they knew they had to call it "OctoPossum."

He posted the video on his YouTube page, calling it "Move over PizzaRat-Meet Astoria, Queens NYC- 'OctoPossum'!!!" He said it's starting to pick up some steam, already receiving thousands of views since it was posted Tuesday.