Opossums belong to the didelphidae family, while possums fall under phalangeridae. Opossum can be pronounced with its first syllable either voiced or silent. Both possums and opossums are opportunistic omnivore creatures and have similar diets. People interchangeably use these words just like bison and buffalo. Although "possum" was in the title, I kept wanting to change the word to "opossum." An opossum is a type of marsupial but a native animal of America from Didelphimorphia. Opossum vs. Possum: Difference. Trapping an opossum is the most common methodology adopted worldwide to get rid of the nocturnal mammal, but this trapping needs skill. 27 days ago. Though possums … Hopefully, these cookies will help you (or the possum-hater in your circle) learn to appreciate all the good possums do. Possum Vs. Opossum While Possum is a marsupial animal, native to Australasia. While possum is sometimes a synonym of opossum, it can also refer to a completely different species that lives in New Guinea, Australia, Indonesia, and elsewhere in the Pacific. In North America, the animal officially called an opossum is a white and gray marsupial of the order Didelphimorphia. To trap an opossum, one must be aware of their favorites to attract them to the trap. Literally, the word means “white dog or beast” in Powhatan. Concerning the common name "possums," it is just a nickname here (a colloquialism) for our opossums -- really the "Virginia Opossom" -- and first to be given the common name of "opossum" or "possum" ahead of any Australian version. Just to cement things further, possums and opossums belong to different taxonomic families. One of these is slightly cuter than the other. Remember, if you hate mosquitoes and ticks, you should love possums, because they eat them and help prevent Lyme disease. More Possum Benefits. Opossums can look pretty scary. Possum vs. Opossum. level 2. In common use, possum is the usual term; in technical or scientific contexts opossum is preferred. Australian possum vs. American opossum. ... help Reddit App Reddit coins Reddit premium Reddit gifts. So if you see one in your yard, don’t try to kill it. Both possum and opossum correctly refer to the Virginia opossum frequently seen in North America. It mainly lives in the US. Just say thanks. Over 59 species of the American opossum inhabit the western hemisphere. They will catch and eat cockroaches, rats and mice – in addition to consuming dead animals of all types (also known as carrion). These traps should be left overnight in order to catch the possum, otherwise you might get a cat in your trap. Colloquially called possums, Virginia opossums … Quick refresher – it’s a system for cataloging and classifying plants and animals. The Virginia opossum has the distinction of being both the only opossum and the only marsupial native to North America. The common brushtail possum is far darker in color. Opossums, sometimes referred to just as possums, are a benefit to ecosystems and a healthy environment beyond eradicating ticks. The possum-vs.-opossum quandary recently came up while I was editing a Beacon story about a children's book. Nobody believes we have the Australian possum here so what you are talking about is merely semantics. English colonists living in Jamestown derived the word from its equivalent in Powhatan, a language spoken by the Virginia Algonquian tribe. But this viral Reddit thread about Hank the opossum has taught everyone that these garden dwellers can be very sweet. Possums have the scientific name of Phalangeriformes. Other characteristics of possums and opossums. It can also be found Chile, Argentina, northern Mexico, and south Canada. However, possums are more often used these days. Opossum vs Possum – Pictures. Possum, otherwise you might get a cat in your yard, don ’ t try to kill it in! 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