Call Or Text

706 521 4134

Opossums and possums are often confused due to their similar names, but they are different animals belonging to distinct families and continents.

Taxonomy and Classification

• Opossum:

  • Family: Didelphidae

  • Order: Didelphimorphia

  • Range: Native to the Americas, particularly North and Central America.

  • Example Species: Virginia opossum (Didelphis virginiana).

• Possum:

  • Family: Phalangeridae (and other families within the suborder Vombatiformes)

  • Order: Diprotodontia (in Australia) or Petauridae (in New Guinea)

  • Range: Native to Australia, New Guinea, and nearby islands.

  • Example Species: Common brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula), sugar glider (Petaurus breviceps).

Physical Characteristics

• Opossum:

  • Size: Generally smaller, ranging from about 2 to 3 feet long including the tail.

  • Appearance: Typically has a grayish or white fur, with a prehensile tail and a snout-like face. Their tails are often used for grasping and balancing.

  • Tail: Prehensile (capable of grasping or holding objects).

• Possum:

  • Size: Varies widely; can range from small (like the sugar glider) to larger sizes (like the brushtail possum).

  • Appearance: Fur color and texture vary greatly depending on the species. Australian possums often have bushy tails and larger, rounder ears.

  • Tail: Generally not prehensile; varies by species.

Behavior and Ecology

• Opossum:

  • Behavior: Nocturnal and solitary. Known for "playing dead" as a defense mechanism when threatened.

  • Diet: Omnivorous, feeding on a wide variety of foods including insects, fruits, and small animals.

  • Habitat: Adaptable to various habitats including forests, urban areas, and suburban areas.

• Possum:

  • Behavior: Also nocturnal but behavior varies by species. Some are arboreal (tree-dwelling), while others are terrestrial.

  • Diet: Mostly herbivorous or frugivorous, but some species eat insects or small animals.

  • Habitat: Typically found in forests and wooded areas in Australia and New Guinea. Their habitat preferences can vary by species.

Evolutionary History

• Opossum:

  • Evolution: Opossums are marsupials with a long evolutionary history in the Americas. They represent one of the most primitive living marsupials.

• Possum:

  • Evolution: Possums are marsupials from the Australasian region, having evolved separately from the opossums. They belong to different marsupial families adapted to diverse ecological niches in their respective environments.

In summary, while opossums and possums share some similarities as marsupials, they belong to different families and have distinct characteristics and behaviors based on their geographic locations.

What's the difference between possums and opossums