Possum facts for kids
The word Possum usually refers to two different groups of furry, tree-dwelling animals. These animals are marsupials, which means they carry their babies in a pouch, just like kangaroos! One group of possums lives in Australia and New Guinea. The other group, often called "opossums," lives in North and South America.
Amazing Possums and Opossums
Possums and opossums are fascinating creatures that have adapted to live in trees. They are mostly active at night, searching for food like leaves, fruits, insects, and sometimes even small birds.
Possums from Down Under
The possums found in Australia, New Guinea, and Sulawesi are part of a group called Phalangeriformes. These animals are known for their soft fur and often have long, bushy tails. They are very good climbers and spend most of their lives high up in trees.
Common Australian Possums
- Common Brushtail Possum (Trichosurus vulpecula): This is one of the most well-known possums in Australia. It's about the size of a house cat and has a thick, bushy tail. You can often see them in city parks and backyards in Australia. They were also brought to New Zealand, where they have become very common.
- Common Ringtail Possum (Pseudocheirus peregrinus): This possum is a bit smaller than the brushtail. It has a long, thin tail that it can use to grip branches, almost like a fifth limb! They are also very common in Australian cities.
Opossums from the Americas
The animals called opossums (or sometimes just "possums") live in North, Central, and South America. They belong to a different group of marsupials called Didelphimorphia. Unlike Australian possums, many opossums have a bare, scaly tail.
Well-known American Opossums
- Virginia Opossum (Didelphis virginiana): This is the only marsupial found in North America. It's famous for "playing possum," which means it pretends to be dead when it feels threatened. This trick can scare away predators!
- Common Opossum (Didelphis marsupialis): Found in Central and South America, this opossum is similar to the Virginia opossum.
- White-eared Opossum (Didelphis albiventris): Also living in South America, this species is known for the white fur on its ears.
