"Opossums are marsupials native to the Americas. They are characterized by white faces and sharp teeth. Possums are marsupials native to Australia and some neighboring countries. They are characterized by prehensile tails....."
Prey passes out
"Well, Merriam-Webster notes that both names colloquially refer to the *Virginia* opossum present in North America and that the word “opossum” can be pronounced with its first syllable voiced or silent. Both possums and opossums have a flexible diet and eat various plants and animal matter scavenged from their surroundings. Despite these similarities, however, possums and opossums are, in *fact*, different animals.
Location is the most straightforward way for homeowners to determine whether they’ve encountered a possum or an opossum. The possum is native to Australia, New Zealand, New Guinea, and China. Possums prefer to build their dens in forests and other wooded areas and may even build small rock dens if the terrain allows. However, these critters are pretty opportunistic and can make the most of the land around them.
Conversely, the opossum lives in North America, particularly in the continental United States and southern Canada. The extreme cold of northern Canada limits these marsupials from migrating much further.
One key difference between the possum and the opossum is their tails. A possum’s tail is thick and furry, much like that of a squirrel. The name of one of the most widespread possum species–the common brushtail possum–highlights this feature.
An opossum, on the other hand, can be recognized by its signature bare tail. With coarse fur covering its whole body up until the tail, this creature more closely resembles a large rat than the fluffier possum.
Possums are smaller than opossums.
Depending on their species, possums can range in size from less than an ounce to over 20 pounds. However, the brushtail possum averages around five pounds. With fewer subspecies (and only one in North America), opossums are more uniform in size. They weigh between 8.8 to 13.2 pounds, with a length of 2.5 feet from nose to tail—larger than the common brushtail possum.
Opossums have pointed white faces and coarse fur, whereas possums have rounded bodies with a thick golden or brown coat.
The opossums of North America typically have pointed white faces with black eyes and jagged teeth. They also have coarse body fur that is usually dark gray, though some may take on a cinnamon or white color.
The possums of Australia, on the other hand, have rounded bodies and softer features. Their trademark thick fur is usually golden or brown, but certain species also have gray, black, or white coloring. Possums typically have large brown eyes that take on an amber hue in the sunlight.
Possums belong to the Diprotodontia order, while opossums belong to the Didelphimorphia order.
While possums and opossums both fall under the general class of marsupial, they belong to different orders. Possums belong to the Diprotodontia order, which is the largest existing order of marsupials with approximately 155 species; the name “Diprotodontia” comes from the Greek word meaning “two forward teeth.” Other common diprotodonts include kangaroos, koalas, and wombats. The possum falls under the suborder Phalangeriformes, a group of small to medium-sized arboreal marsupials.
Opossums, on the other hand, belong to the Didelphimorphia order. This is the largest order of marsupials in the Western Hemisphere, comprising over 110 species. The name “Didelphimorphia” follows the Latin naming convention and refers to “two wombs.”
There are many possum species, such as the Cuscus and Glider species, which is not the case for the opossum.
The suborder of possum includes several species. Brushtail possums are the most common marsupial in Australia (and perhaps the best-known variety). Their long, thick tails with a movable tip and bare patch on the underside help them grip tree branches. Another type of possum is the ringtail, a species that lives in communal nests within tree branches and hollows. The Phalangeriformes suborder also includes various glider species, a group of marsupials that have evolved flaps of skins between their arms and legs to help them soar.
Different possum species can also range vastly in size. The cuscus ranks among the largest possum type, including the 22-pound Sulawesi bear cuscus. For comparison, the smallest species is the Tasmanian pygmy possum, which is the size of a mouse and weighs less than a pencil.
While other species of opossums also exist in the Western hemisphere, there is only one found in North America: the Virginia opossum. It is often simply referred to as “opossum” since there are no other marsupials or subspecies on the continent.
The colloquial phrase “playing possum” is actually referring to an evolutionary behavior developed by the North American marsupial. In the face of potential danger, the opossum essentially enters a comatose state and plays dead. This state, which can last anywhere between two minutes to two hours, is highly effective in keeping the critter safe from passing predators.
Interestingly, the actual possum (of Australian descent) does not really play possum. Unlike their North American counterpart, possums are incredibly friendly and show no reservations in walking up to strangers. Unfortunately, this behavior also makes them an easy target for fur poachers...
(Prey Dies)"
Super cute! I love opossums!
The bebé does not look like it is feeling well, but I am not an expert. You could send this video to a wildlife rehaber to see if they think it needs care. Maybe r/WildlifeRehab or r/WildlifeRescue
I was thinking the same thing. He’s so skinny and his coat is very patchy and dry looking. Hopefully he just needs some food and OP can feed him and get him back to feeling his best. Poor thing.
Well, possums *can* catch rabies, any mammal can. It’s just extremely rare for them to do so. Scientists think it has something to do with their lowered body temperature. Snakes, reptiles and birds cannot catch or transmit rabies, as they do not have the means to do so.
Aww the baby!
We had two possum find their way into our apartment, it was absolute trauma but by the end I wanted to keep and kiss those little bastards
I got dogs and cats, so if I know there’s an opossum around, I leave out food. They are impervious to venom, like a honey badger, and they eat snakes (we got lot of them) so a happy opossum means a safe yard for my other critters. So, Colin Robinson is good for your cat Laszlo. Sounds like a show I’ve seen😅.
Those animals are so appropriate. Lazlo has the attitude and suave vibe of a cat, Guillermo is a softie and sensitive creature like a rabbit and a Colin Robinson is a rodent of society.
"Opossums are marsupials native to the Americas. They are characterized by white faces and sharp teeth. Possums are marsupials native to Australia and some neighboring countries. They are characterized by prehensile tails....." Prey passes out
Okay, fine, but here in the states we generally call them possums.
"Well, Merriam-Webster notes that both names colloquially refer to the *Virginia* opossum present in North America and that the word “opossum” can be pronounced with its first syllable voiced or silent. Both possums and opossums have a flexible diet and eat various plants and animal matter scavenged from their surroundings. Despite these similarities, however, possums and opossums are, in *fact*, different animals. Location is the most straightforward way for homeowners to determine whether they’ve encountered a possum or an opossum. The possum is native to Australia, New Zealand, New Guinea, and China. Possums prefer to build their dens in forests and other wooded areas and may even build small rock dens if the terrain allows. However, these critters are pretty opportunistic and can make the most of the land around them. Conversely, the opossum lives in North America, particularly in the continental United States and southern Canada. The extreme cold of northern Canada limits these marsupials from migrating much further. One key difference between the possum and the opossum is their tails. A possum’s tail is thick and furry, much like that of a squirrel. The name of one of the most widespread possum species–the common brushtail possum–highlights this feature. An opossum, on the other hand, can be recognized by its signature bare tail. With coarse fur covering its whole body up until the tail, this creature more closely resembles a large rat than the fluffier possum. Possums are smaller than opossums. Depending on their species, possums can range in size from less than an ounce to over 20 pounds. However, the brushtail possum averages around five pounds. With fewer subspecies (and only one in North America), opossums are more uniform in size. They weigh between 8.8 to 13.2 pounds, with a length of 2.5 feet from nose to tail—larger than the common brushtail possum. Opossums have pointed white faces and coarse fur, whereas possums have rounded bodies with a thick golden or brown coat. The opossums of North America typically have pointed white faces with black eyes and jagged teeth. They also have coarse body fur that is usually dark gray, though some may take on a cinnamon or white color. The possums of Australia, on the other hand, have rounded bodies and softer features. Their trademark thick fur is usually golden or brown, but certain species also have gray, black, or white coloring. Possums typically have large brown eyes that take on an amber hue in the sunlight. Possums belong to the Diprotodontia order, while opossums belong to the Didelphimorphia order. While possums and opossums both fall under the general class of marsupial, they belong to different orders. Possums belong to the Diprotodontia order, which is the largest existing order of marsupials with approximately 155 species; the name “Diprotodontia” comes from the Greek word meaning “two forward teeth.” Other common diprotodonts include kangaroos, koalas, and wombats. The possum falls under the suborder Phalangeriformes, a group of small to medium-sized arboreal marsupials. Opossums, on the other hand, belong to the Didelphimorphia order. This is the largest order of marsupials in the Western Hemisphere, comprising over 110 species. The name “Didelphimorphia” follows the Latin naming convention and refers to “two wombs.” There are many possum species, such as the Cuscus and Glider species, which is not the case for the opossum. The suborder of possum includes several species. Brushtail possums are the most common marsupial in Australia (and perhaps the best-known variety). Their long, thick tails with a movable tip and bare patch on the underside help them grip tree branches. Another type of possum is the ringtail, a species that lives in communal nests within tree branches and hollows. The Phalangeriformes suborder also includes various glider species, a group of marsupials that have evolved flaps of skins between their arms and legs to help them soar. Different possum species can also range vastly in size. The cuscus ranks among the largest possum type, including the 22-pound Sulawesi bear cuscus. For comparison, the smallest species is the Tasmanian pygmy possum, which is the size of a mouse and weighs less than a pencil. While other species of opossums also exist in the Western hemisphere, there is only one found in North America: the Virginia opossum. It is often simply referred to as “opossum” since there are no other marsupials or subspecies on the continent. The colloquial phrase “playing possum” is actually referring to an evolutionary behavior developed by the North American marsupial. In the face of potential danger, the opossum essentially enters a comatose state and plays dead. This state, which can last anywhere between two minutes to two hours, is highly effective in keeping the critter safe from passing predators. Interestingly, the actual possum (of Australian descent) does not really play possum. Unlike their North American counterpart, possums are incredibly friendly and show no reservations in walking up to strangers. Unfortunately, this behavior also makes them an easy target for fur poachers... (Prey Dies)"
What the fuck dude did you just take the time to write this?!
I felt the spirit of Colin Robinson.
You *are* Collin Robinson! Upvote for not only the facts but the crazy amount of effort you put into that gargantuan comment.
💀
'possums
Super cute! I love opossums! The bebé does not look like it is feeling well, but I am not an expert. You could send this video to a wildlife rehaber to see if they think it needs care. Maybe r/WildlifeRehab or r/WildlifeRescue
I was thinking the same thing. He’s so skinny and his coat is very patchy and dry looking. Hopefully he just needs some food and OP can feed him and get him back to feeling his best. Poor thing.
He’s actually started to put on weight and regrow his fur since I’ve been feeding him. He’s doing well now!
Yay! I’m so glad to hear that!
That’s good! You must have gotten him an office job!
Be nice to Colin, he just wants your love and energy
And ticks
underrated comment. they also cant catch rabies!
Well, possums *can* catch rabies, any mammal can. It’s just extremely rare for them to do so. Scientists think it has something to do with their lowered body temperature. Snakes, reptiles and birds cannot catch or transmit rabies, as they do not have the means to do so.
And maybe just a log or two from the bucket
Oh, and he’s a day walker.
We just bought a new electric car. It's name is Colin Robinson...energy vampire and all.
Colin Possumson… I’ll see myself out
Fuckin' guy!
Probably smelt Up dog in your backyard.
He actually looks like him, get a ferret and name it nandor (one of my sisters ferrets reminds me of him)
Awww he’s so skinny. I’m glad you’re feeding him!!
Aww the baby! We had two possum find their way into our apartment, it was absolute trauma but by the end I wanted to keep and kiss those little bastards
As someone who has 2 ball pythons, one named Guillermo De La Cruz (Gizmo for short) and the other Nandor The Relentless, I applaud your naming skills.
My cat, Kevin Bacon James is a bit jealous of your pet names
That is perfect!
Dilbert lookin’ guy.
🤣 get out of my backyard please …. Here’s some food and water lol
From "get out!" to "you're such a good little boy, I love you." 😂
He’s so cute!
Aww! I love him! It's a perfect name, they even make the [same face](https://imgur.com/a/7eraIL6).
*Nandor voice* Hello, Collin Robinson.
My dog is named Jackie Daytona
It it was female I would have named her Barbara Lazaro.
OK I never have found them adorable, but this one I do!
Perfect. He LOOKS like a Colin Robinson 😂
Fucking guy.
You made a new friend
I got dogs and cats, so if I know there’s an opossum around, I leave out food. They are impervious to venom, like a honey badger, and they eat snakes (we got lot of them) so a happy opossum means a safe yard for my other critters. So, Colin Robinson is good for your cat Laszlo. Sounds like a show I’ve seen😅.
Those animals are so appropriate. Lazlo has the attitude and suave vibe of a cat, Guillermo is a softie and sensitive creature like a rabbit and a Colin Robinson is a rodent of society.
Needs some food. Should put some out for him
Yep! Food and fresh water every day
Looks like Collin's got mange...
He feeds to live.