{"id":11792,"date":"2024-07-08T13:20:49","date_gmt":"2024-07-08T13:20:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/topat10.com\/?p=11792"},"modified":"2024-07-08T13:20:49","modified_gmt":"2024-07-08T13:20:49","slug":"possum-vs-opossum-what-are-the-big-differences","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/topat10.com\/?p=11792","title":{"rendered":"Possum Vs. Opossum (What Are the Big Differences?)"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div>\n<p>At some point, you\u2019ve probably wondered whether you\u2019re using the correct word when referring to those nocturnal, white-faced creatures that hiss and scavenge in the night. Possum and opossum are often thought to be interchangeable terms, especially in North America.<\/p>\n<p>They might seem like the same animal, but adding an \u201cO\u201d to the beginning of the word signifies a significant difference. In this article, I\u2019ll examine the distinctions between possums and opossums and uncover the key differences that set these two creatures apart.<\/p>\n<div class=\"gb-container gb-container-ab36f766\">\n<div class=\"gb-grid-wrapper gb-grid-wrapper-d2848a7e\">\n<div class=\"gb-grid-column gb-grid-column-c45439a9\">\n<div class=\"gb-container gb-container-c45439a9\">\n<div class=\"gb-container gb-container-77707f35\">\n<div class=\"gb-container gb-container-f822c2aa\">\n<figure class=\"gb-block-image gb-block-image-b939a516\"><a href=\"https:\/\/todayshomeowner.com\/go\/terminix\/?gclid=other-tho\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\"><img loading=\"lazy\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"224\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" data-src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=\" http:=\"\" class=\"gb-image-b939a516 lazyload\" alt=\"Terminix_logo\" data-lazy-data-sizes=\"auto\" 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src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" data-src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=\" http:=\"\" class=\"gb-image-d957f832 lazyload\" alt=\"orkin logo\" data-lazy-data-sizes=\"auto\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/d7fcfvvxwoz9e.cloudfront.net\/dom43635\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/orkin-logo.png 1200w, https:\/\/d7fcfvvxwoz9e.cloudfront.net\/dom43635\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/orkin-logo-300x153.png 300w, https:\/\/d7fcfvvxwoz9e.cloudfront.net\/dom43635\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/orkin-logo-768x392.png 768w\" data-lazy-data-sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" data-lazy-src=\"https:\/\/d7fcfvvxwoz9e.cloudfront.net\/dom43635\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/orkin-logo.png\"\/><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"612\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" 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0l-3.5-3.5a.5.5 0 1 1 .708-.708L6.5 10.293l6.646-6.647a.5.5 0 0 1 .708 0z\"\/> <\/svg><\/span><span class=\"gb-headline-text\">30-day money-back guarantee<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><a class=\"gb-button gb-button-492a1eb4 provider-button gb-button-text\" href=\"https:\/\/todayshomeowner.com\/go\/orkin-pest-control\/?subid=other-tho\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\"><strong><strong><strong>GET ESTIMATE<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"gb-container gb-container-e94c925b border-dash\">\n<p><strong><strong>Limited Time<\/strong><\/strong>:<\/p>\n<p>$50 Off First Service (GET50)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-possums-vs-opossums-what-are-the-differences\">Possums Vs. Opossums, What Are the Differences?<\/h2>\n<p>Opossum vs possum, you may be wondering if they are the same thing. As it turns out, these two words refer to completely different animals found in both North and South America.<\/p>\n<p>These critters are cousins, they share similar names and the same classification of Infraclass Marsupialia. This means they are both marsupials, which are animals that birth live young that they nourish in <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/ucmp.berkeley.edu\/mammal\/marsupial\/marsupial.html\"><strong>pouches on their stomachs<\/strong><\/a><strong>. <\/strong>You\u2019re<strong> <\/strong>likely familiar with a kangaroo \u2014 the world\u2019s most famous marsupial.<\/p>\n<p>These critters are sometimes mistaken for raccoons, but they are different species. Raccoons have furry tails and are known for the black mask across their eyes. Possums also have furry tails, while opossums have bare tails. Both possums and opossums have sharp teeth and long snouts.<\/p>\n<p>The name \u201copossum\u201d is Powhatan, derived from an <em>Algonquian<\/em> Indian word. Based on where you live, using the word \u201cpossum\u201d when you really mean \u201copossum\u201d can get you some pretty strange looks.<\/p>\n<p><noscript><\/p>\n<div class=\"jlvid_container\"><iframe title=\"Facts About The Brush Tailed Possum\" width=\"1170\" height=\"658\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/VYPV2zwBaBs?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/div>\n<p><\/iframe><\/noscript><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-where-do-possums-live\">Where Do Possums Live?<\/h3>\n<p>Possums are native to Australia. However, since the 1800s, these animals have been introduced to neighboring nations such as New Zealand, New Guinea, and even China. Ringtail possums are one of Australias most commonly found marsupials and have long prehensile tails.<\/p>\n<p>These marsupials tend to thrive in wooded areas, but also prefer to build <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/animaldiversity.org\/site\/accounts\/information\/Trichosurus_vulpecula.html\"><strong>small rock dens<\/strong><\/a> if the terrain allows. They are very opportunistic and will take advantage of the benefits of the land around them, but always prefer to den in forests first and foremost.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-what-about-opossums\">What About Opossums?<\/h3>\n<p>There are over 100 species of opossums. Some include the Virginia opossum, white-eared opossum, and yellow-sided opossum. Opossums live on the North American continent, particularly on the mainland of the United States. There have been sightings of opossums as far north as Ontario, Canada, however, the extreme cold is a severely limiting factor in these animals\u2019 migration.<\/p>\n<p>The American marsupial is an opossum. These little guys are what many Americans call possums\u00a0 \u2014 without the \u201cO\u201d. They are the blacked-eyed, pointed-featured, rodent-type of animal that scurries out into the night with its babies on its back.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-how-to-tell-them-apart\">How To Tell Them Apart?<\/h3>\n<p>As mentioned above, both the Australian possum and the North American opossum are <a href=\"http:\/\/scienceline.ucsb.edu\/getkey.php?key=5659\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">marsupials<\/a>. Marsupials have an external pouch on their abdomens where they care for their newborn babies until they can fend for themselves.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" data-src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=\" http:=\"\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8704 lazyload\" data-lazy-src=\"https:\/\/d7fcfvvxwoz9e.cloudfront.net\/dom43635\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/possum-vs-opossum-facts.jpg\"\/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\" data-src=\"https:\/\/d7fcfvvxwoz9e.cloudfront.net\/dom43635\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/possum-vs-opossum-facts.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8704 lazyload\"\/><\/noscript><\/figure>\n<p>This family tie \u2014 and the comparable namesake \u2014 are pretty much where the similarities stop for these two species.<\/p>\n<p>The Australian possum has a round body shape and thick fur, which is often golden in color \u2014 giving it the nickname the Golden Brushtail Possum. Its eyes take on a peanut butter color in the light, and true to its moniker, its tail is thick and voluminous like that of a squirrel. These animals look more like cuddly cousins of the koala bear rather than distant relatives of the opossum.<\/p>\n<p>The North American opossum, on the other hand, has <a href=\"https:\/\/animaldiversity.org\/site\/accounts\/information\/Didelphis_virginiana.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">stark features<\/a>: black eyes, a white face, jagged teeth, and a sharp, pointed face. These creepy animals skulk around waving their rat tails in the air, hissing at those who dare to come too close. This species can be found ransacking trash piles when they\u2019re not migrating from one makeshift den to another. As <a style=\"outline: currentcolor none medium;\" href=\"https:\/\/nationalzoo.si.edu\/animals\/virginia-opossum\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">migrant scavengers<\/a>, they feed on whatever they can find during their transient lifestyle.<\/p>\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-where-can-you-find-a-possum\">Where Can You Find a Possum?<\/h2>\n<p>Possums are native to Australia. You would be hard-pressed to find an actual possum on the North American continent. These marsupials thrive in wooded areas but also build small rock dens if the environment allows. Possums are opportunistic and take advantage of the land around them but always prefer to den in forests.<\/p>\n<p>Opossums can be found throughout the mainland United States. If you\u2019re still unsure about the differences between possums and opossums, read on for more details.<\/p>\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-why-do-people-confuse-opossum-with-possum\">Why Do People Confuse Opossum With Possum?<\/h2>\n<p>It\u2019s not very clear why most Americans drop the \u201cO\u201d when referring to opossums, but it\u2019s commonly accepted in the United States to call these animals both\u00a0possums\u00a0and\u00a0opossums.<\/p>\n<p>However, in Australia, there is no such thing as an\u00a0opossum. An American on holiday might be surprised to learn that the adorable little animal in the tree shares the same name with the garbage-eaters they\u2019ve come to know back in their home country.<\/p>\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-is-one-species-smarter-than-the-other\">Is One Species Smarter Than the Other?<\/h2>\n<p>In terms of raw intelligence, both Australian possums and North American opossums rank pretty low.<\/p>\n<p>However, North American opossums have evolved to develop a behavioral trait that has worked to deter predators time and time again. Essentially, they enter a comatose state and <a style=\"outline: currentcolor none medium;\" href=\"https:\/\/dfwwildlife.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">play dead<\/a> for a time \u2014 from two minutes to two hours. This has sparked the phrase \u201cplaying possum,\u201d and keeps the animal safe from passing danger.<\/p>\n<p>Australian possums, by contrast, will basically just walk right up to anyone. They\u2019re a very trusting species, <a style=\"outline: currentcolor none medium;\" href=\"https:\/\/turnagain.alaskapacific.edu\/awesome-the-possum\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">extremely friendly<\/a>, with no problems whatsoever in becoming your new best friend. This naive behavior leads to their hunting by fur poachers and threatens them as a species.<\/p>\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-are-opossums-more-dangerous-than-possums\">Are Opossums More Dangerous Than Possums?<\/h2>\n<p>Australian Brushtail Possums \u2014 the adorable ones who aren\u2019t afraid of humans \u2014 aren\u2019t known to be carriers of diseases. They won\u2019t bite or harm people, and have a natural and scientifically unexplained resistance to rabies.<\/p>\n<p>Opossums, too, have <a href=\"https:\/\/pesticidestewardship.org\/resistance\/understanding-resistance\/\">this resistance<\/a> in addition to other, more serious immunities. An opossum can consume a rattlesnake \u2014 one of the most dangerous snakes in the U.S.A. \u2014 and digest it effortlessly, treating it like any other meal. This demonstrates the opossum\u2019s remarkable ability to handle venomous prey.<\/p>\n<p>When picturing possums and opossums, many people think of disease-carrying vermin. But it\u2019s much more accurate to picture these animals as mysteriously gifted animals with an unexplained sense of resilience.<\/p>\n<section id=\"th-tips-block_556b6ad56393d310899cab5e5513a2eb\" class=\"th-block th-tips\" style=\"color: ; background-color: ;\">\n<div class=\"thTipsContainer\">\n<p>Today\u2019s Homeowner Tips<\/p>\n<p>            Australian Brushtail Possums aren\u2019t known to be carriers of diseases. They won\u2019t bite or harm people, and have a natural resistance to rabies. Opossums, too, have this resistance \u2014 in addition to other, more serious immunities.        <\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-the-bottom-line-about-these-two-animals\">The Bottom Line About These Two Animals<\/h2>\n<p>Possums and opossums share a common marsupial heritage but diverge significantly in appearance, behavior, and habitat. Possums evoke images of cuddly koala-like creatures thriving in Australian forests. Opossums present a stark contrast with their sharp features and adaptability to North American landscapes. <\/p>\n<p>Recognizing these distinctions will help you easily identify these creatures whether you find yourself in the bushlands of Australia or the neighborhoods of America.<\/p>\n<p>For expert help with your opossum problem, use the form below to connect with a local pest control professional. <\/p>\n<div id=\"hm-faq-block_a7602f7af2eff5dc01be3ce61b237efd 1\" class=\"hm-faq hm-faq--two-column\">\n<h2 class=\"hm-faq__title \" data-toc-text=\"Frequently Asked Questions\">Frequently Asked Questions<\/h2>\n<div class=\"hm-faq__item\">\n<h3 class=\"faqQuestion accordion mb-0\">\n                        Are opossums agressive?                    <\/h3>\n<div class=\"faqAnswer panel\">\n<p>Opossums are not likely to attack and are typically not aggressive. They will run away and try to avoid a confrontation.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<hr class=\"my-2\"\/>\n<div class=\"hm-faq__item\">\n<h3 class=\"faqQuestion accordion mb-0\">\n                        Is there a difference between a possum and opossum?                     <\/h3>\n<div class=\"faqAnswer panel\">\n<p>Yes. Possums are found in Australia and are koala-like creatures.<\/p>\n<p>Opossums have sharp features and are found in North America.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<hr class=\"my-2\"\/>\n<div class=\"hm-faq__item\">\n<h3 class=\"faqQuestion accordion mb-0\">\n                        Can opossums be pets?                     <\/h3>\n<div class=\"faqAnswer panel\">\n<p>State laws will determine whether you can have an opossum as a pet. Some states allow pet opossums with a permit.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<hr class=\"my-2\"\/>\n<div class=\"hm-faq__item\">\n<h3 class=\"faqQuestion accordion mb-0\">\n                        What does the phrase &#8220;playing possum&#8221; mean?                    <\/h3>\n<div class=\"faqAnswer panel\">\n<p>The phrase means pretending to be asleep, injured, or vulnerable. It comes from the possums habit of faking its death to avoid predators.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<hr class=\"my-2\"\/>\n                    <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>At some point, you\u2019ve probably wondered whether you\u2019re using the correct word when referring to those nocturnal, white-faced creatures that hiss and scavenge in the night. Possum and opossum are often thought to be interchangeable terms, especially in North America. They might seem like the same animal, but adding an \u201cO\u201d to the beginning of [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":414,"featured_media":9230,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_uag_custom_page_level_css":"","_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[124],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-11792","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-home-improvement"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.8 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Possum Vs. 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Possum and opossum are often thought to be interchangeable terms, especially in North America. They might seem like the same animal, but adding an \u201cO\u201d to the beginning of&hellip;","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/topat10.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11792","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/topat10.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/topat10.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/topat10.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/414"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/topat10.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=11792"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/topat10.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11792\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/topat10.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/9230"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/topat10.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=11792"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/topat10.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=11792"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/topat10.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=11792"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}