Opossum vs Possum: Character, Types, and Who Wins

Opossums are fascinating creatures, similar to kangaroos with pouches for carrying babies. With long tails and sharp claws, they are adept climbers, skillfully exploring their surroundings for food. These resourceful animals have a varied diet, eating insects, small animals, fruits, and vegetables.

Opossums act as nature's pest controllers because they eat insects and fruits. By doing so, they help keep the balance in the environment, keeping our surroundings in check. So, the next time you see them, remember: they are not just cute, but tiny guardians, making sure everything stays in harmony!

• Scientific Name: Didelphis virginiana
• Native Country: North America.
• Size: 13 to 37 inches 
• Weight: 4 to 14 pounds
• Color: Grayish-white face, pink nose, grayish body
• Diet: Omnivores
• Behavior: Plays dead when threatened.

Opossums, also known as possums, are small marsupials from North America. The Virginia opossum is the main species found there. Opossums exhibit a cool trick known as 'playing possum.' When they feel threatened, they pretend to be sick or dead. This behavior confuses predators and aids in their safe escape.

These furry creatures are quite adaptable, using their unique skills to survive in grasslands. They are also good climbers and can hunt mice, birds, worms, and even chickens.

• Scientific Name: Didelphimorphia
• Native Country: Australia
• Size: 15 to 20 inches
• Weight: 4 to 12 pounds
• Color: Varied shades of gray, brown, and black
• Diet: Omnivore
• Behavior: Frequently using their prehensile tail for support, opossums grasp onto objects while climbing or hanging.

Opossums and possums may seem alike at first glance, but they're distinct creatures in size, tail, and physical appearance. Despite the confusion in names, they belong to different families. Opossums, native to North America, are marsupials with a hairless tail and a prehensile thumb.

In contrast, possums, found in Australia and nearby regions, are tree-dwelling marsupials with a bushy tail. In the following sections, we will unravel the unique characteristics that set them apart, shedding light on their habitats, behaviors, and adaptations that make them fascinating members of the animal kingdom.

American opossums lived in South America for ages, then crossed a land bridge to North America millions of years ago. They are the only marsupials there and had to get crafty to survive bigger predators. That's why they play dead, drool, and even smell stinky to scare enemies away! They're also super-immune to some nasty stuff like snake venom.

Meanwhile, the history of possums is a fascinating journey that spans approximately 50 million years. Belonging to the marsupial family, possums have their roots in Australia. Over time, some of their species migrated to other continents, adapting to various environments. They can now be found thriving in diverse habitats worldwide.

Distinguishing between these two creatures is pretty easy, as they actually reside in different places. If you come across a critter in North America or southern Canada, chances are it's an opossum. These creatures are adapted to colder regions and tend to avoid the extreme cold of Canada.

On the flip side, possums make their homes in Australia, New Zealand, New Guinea, and China. They enjoy living in forests and making cozy homes in wooded areas. Sometimes, they even exhibit their creativity by constructing dens with rocks when the landscape allows.

Opossums and possums exhibit distinct size differences based on their respective habitats. Possums, indigenous to Australasia, typically measure around 2 feet in length and weigh between 3 to 11 pounds. These arboreal creatures are well-adapted to their environment, boasting a sleek physique that aids them in navigating the trees of their native regions.

In contrast, American possums are generally larger, spanning about 2.5 feet from nose to tail and weighing between 9 to 13 pounds. Common brushtail possums, on the other hand, average around five pounds, while opossums boast a weight range of 8.8 to 13.2 pounds. Therefore, opossums are larger than possums, making them the bigger of the two.

Possums and opossums differ in their taxonomic orders. Possums are part of the Diprotodontia order, the largest existing order of marsupials with around 155 species. This order includes kangaroos, koalas, and wombats. They specifically fall under the suborder Phalangeriformes, which consists of small to medium-sized arboreal marsupials.

In contrast, opossums belong to the Didelphimorphia order, which is the largest order of marsupials in the Western Hemisphere, encompassing over 110 species. This taxonomic classification highlights the diversity within the marsupial family, with each species occupying a unique branch in this mammalian group.

The primary distinction between an opossum and a possum lies in their tails. Opossums, widespread in North America, have long, hairless tails that serve them well in balancing when climbing trees. In contrast, possums, native to Australia, showcase tails adorned with fluffy fur.

Therefore, if the tail is covered in fur and looks cute, it's likely an Australian possum. Keep in mind that American opossums have a bald tail, while Australian possums boast a furry and often colored one. That's the key distinction in their tails!

Opossums and Australian possums have distinct differences in their facial features and fur. American opossums, which are found in North America, typically have pointy white faces, black eyes, and rough gray fur, with variations in colors like gray, cinnamon, or white.

In contrast, Australian possums have round bodies and softer features, characterized by fur that is usually golden or brown, though some may be gray, black, or white. These possums also feature big brown eyes that radiate amber in the sunlight. 

 When it comes to dealing with danger, these creatures have different tricks. American opossums are like little escape artists. When they feel threatened, they play dead, fooling other animals into thinking they're not a problem. This trick is called "playing possum."

Now, Australian possums are more like sneaky ninjas. They are really good at climbing trees and have sharp claws and strong tails to help them escape. They prefer going up high to avoid danger on the ground. So, while American opossums like to act like they are not around, Australian possums choose to be quick and sneaky.

Possums come in different types, such as the Cuscus and Glider species, each with its own features and sizes. They vary – some have long tails for gripping trees, and others, like Gliders, can glide with flaps of skin. Now, when we talk about opossums, it's a bit unique.

Unlike possums with many species, opossums are simpler. There is only one kind in North America, and we call it the Virginia opossum. So, while possums have this variety, opossums stand out as a unique creature in their part of the world.

In the matter of who wins, it depends on various factors. In a direct confrontation, a larger and more aggressive opossum might have an advantage. Opossums, on the other hand, are agile climbers and can inflict bites with their sharp claws.

Ultimately, the outcome would likely depend on the specific circumstances and the individual animals involved. However, it's important to remember that both opossums and possums are valuable parts of their respective ecosystems and should not be harmed or harassed; rather, we need to preserve these amazing creatures.