Opossum - Wikipedia Opossums ( əˈpɒsəmz ) are members of the marsupial order Didelphimorphia ( daɪˌdɛlfɪˈmɔːrfiə ) endemic to the Americas The largest order of marsupials in the Western Hemisphere, it comprises 126 species in 18 genera
13 Facts About Opossums - Mental Floss Opossums, which include the roughly 100 species in the order Didelphimorphia, are some of the most misunderstood animals in the Americas They’re often thought of as dimwitted, dirty creatures
12 Facts About Opossums: America’s Only Marsupial Like kangaroos and koalas, opossums are marsupials and carry their young in their pouch, with opossum babies staying in their mother’s pouch for up to three months According to fossil evidence, the split between the ancestors of opossums and other marsupials occurred at least 65 million years ago 10 Opossum lifespan: One to two years
Opossum - Types, Size, Habitat, Diet, Anatomy, Lifespan, Pictures The Virginia opossum, the only species found in Canada and the United States, ranges from south Canada to Nicaragua and Honduras Although they typically inhabit swamps and forests receiving abundant rainfall, these mammals are highly adaptable and are also spotted in urban areas
General Opossum Information | Opossum Society of the United States (OSUS) Despite its appearance, the opossum is not related to the rat In fact, the opossum is a marsupial, or “pouched” mammal, and is therefore related to other marsupials such as the kangaroo and the koala Like kangaroos and koalas, infant opossums stay inside the mother’s pouch to nurse and develop
7 Fascinating Opossum Facts - Farmers Almanac If you’ve ever watched an opossum at play, it might have struck you as a somewhat clumsy little critter However, opossums are world-class tree climbers, with sharp claws, opposable thumbs on their hind feet, and a prehensile tail that helps them scale trunks and hang onto branches
Possum vs. Opossum: Whats The Real Difference? - Bob Vila What's the difference between a possum and an opossum? While they have similar names, possums and opossums are distinct animals Here are seven key differences between these marsupials
10 Facts About Possums That Will Make You Love Them Contrary to popular belief, having possums nearby can actually be beneficial! Sure, they can admittedly be pretty jarring to look at — especially when you shine a light at them and make their
Facts About the Common Opossum - Live Science There are more than 60 species of opossum The species that many people think of when hearing about this animal is the common opossum, also known as Virginia opossum