Keep reading to learn how to tell the difference. Was that furry animal a possum or an opossum? What is the correct pronunciation? Was it “playing possum?” What does that even mean? If you’ve got questions about possum vs opossum, you’ve come to the right place. Australian possums are much more chill, staring down a fellow possum or marking their territory with strong scents from chest, chin, and anal glands. To defend themselves against predators, North American opossums may hiss and show their teeth, or do something even more bizarre–enter an involuntary state called catatonia.American opossums, which are omnivores, will scavenge for food like fruit, insects, garbage, and carrion. Australian possums are herbivores, feeding on eucalyptus leaves, herbs, flowers, fruit, and some shrubs.Their location differentiates them with possums residing in Australia, while opossums live in North America. Both possums and opossums are nocturnal marsupials that carry their babies in a fleshy pouch.Wonderful West Virginia Magazine.Discover the Unique Animal that Can Survive… Key Points: West Virginia Division of Natural Resources. The Johns Hopkins University Press Baltimore and London, 1991. Walker's Mammals of the World: Volume 1, 5th Ed. By eating carrion, they lower the risk of spreading disease in the area. Opossums are scavengers, which makes them extremely important to any habitat.
Opossums have fifty razor sharp teeth the highest number of teeth found in any land mammal.Some believe chemicals are released into the brain and cause a temporary coma, but recordings of brain activity show that the opossum is in a highly alert state while feigning death. Scientists have yet to determine whether feigning death is deliberate or an involuntary reaction. Playing possum may allow these animals to escape predation since most predators will not eat carrion or dead animals. During this display, they can be poked and prodded or even bitten by another animal without giving any signs of suffering. Their breathing slows and stays that way for a few minutes up to several hours. They may also release fecal matter and release a green, foul-smelling mucus excreted from its anal glands. Curled up on the ground with its mouth open and tongue hanging out, the opossum appears dead. When frightened or startled, opossums can feign death (or 'play possum').They have a keen sense of smell and may also rely on touch to find food. Opossums are crepuscular and nocturnal, spending most of this time searching for food.Some scientists refer to it as a living fossil. From prehistoric time to modern day, the opossum is virtually unchanged.Opossum is an Algonquin Indian name meaning "white animal." The term "marsupial" comes from the Latin word "marsupium," which refers to the pouch where the young are carried.Young opossums must spend the first two months of their life in their mother's pouch.The young opossums are not fully developed when they enter the pouch. A marsupial is a mammal that has a pouch where it carries its young. The Virginia (or common) opossum is the only North American marsupial.Sexual Maturity Approximately 1 year Life Span 2 to 3 years wild 4 to 7 years managed Range Costa Rica north through Mexico and the central and eastern half of the United States to southeastern Canada Habitat Found in woodlands or thick brush, usually near water Population Global: Unknown Status IUCN: Not listed Nursing Period: They are weaned at abound 100 days.
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