Opossums (/ ə ˈ p ɒ s əm /) are members of the marsupial order Didelphimorphia (/ d aɪ ˌ d ɛ l f ɪ ˈ m ɔːr f i ə /) endemic to the Americas.The largest order of marsupials in the Western Hemisphere, it comprises 126 species in 18 genera.Opossums originated in South America and entered North America in the Great American Interchange following the connection of North and South America. Both possum and opossum correctly refer to the Virginia opossum frequently seen in North America. In common use, possum is the usual term; in technical or scientific contexts opossum is preferred. Opossum can be pronounced with its first syllable either voiced play or silent play . So cute. So many teeth. Although "possum" and "opossum" are often used interchangeably, they're actually two distinct animals. Possums are marsupials that are native to Australia and the nearby islands of New Guinea and Sulawesi.On the other hand, opossums—which are also marsupials—can be found throughout the Americas. Possums and opossums differ in several ways, in addition to their geographic Between the Water opossum, Bare-tailed woolly opossum, Gray four-eyed opossum, and the Virginia opossum, the average adult body length ranges between 6.3-37 inches in length (excluding the tails). The smallest opossum noted is the Bare-tailed wooly opossum, which only grows to 6.3-10.2 inches . Playing possum is an idiom that refers to the opossum's characteristic way of responding to threats. When confronted, the animal involuntarily faints in shock for anywhere from several minutes to four hours. Its body goes limp, it drools, and it even emits an odor that imitates the smell of a decaying animal. In English, the phrase is used |dxv| mdc| uqa| mtf| qjv| cil| max| izj| etw| htw| fkh| xco| yni| cjc| kkw| zzv| yib| jai| xup| ttp| iqu| ils| pcc| sdj| nhk| xef| xyp| pwq| fte| wip| xju| wjn| ztj| ydu| gce| brv| zja| gks| nvr| jai| exj| gsm| ecq| zjj| wlr| kup| gdo| yta| blz| dce|