What Is The Difference Between A Possum And An Opossum

In technical or scientific contexts opossum is preferred.

However the word without the o refers to something very different outside of north america. The key differentiator however is the australian possum has a bushy tail covered in fur hence the name. Opossums have a bare tail while possums have bushy hairy tail. Opossum have longer snout while possum has a shorter snout.

Possum tend to be longer while opossum are shorter in terms of length. The possum and the opossum are both hunted animals and possess an instinct to play dead or play possum when threatened. Both animals are marsupials and their snouts feet and eyes are similar. The opossum is primarily dark gray in color but some resemble cinnamon and as in heidi s case white opossums are known to exist.

While possum is sometimes a synonym of opossum it can also refer to a completely different species that. In common use possum is the usual term. The ears of a possum are larger than that of the virginia opossum and their fur is softer and much more bushy. Their fur is very coarse.

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Opossums are always omnivorous animals whereas possums are generally herbivorous and sometimes omnivorous. The diet of the opossum is eating dead things and plants while possum is eating fruits leaves and plants. Both possum and opossum correctly refer to the virginia opossum frequently seen in north america. Opossums are relatively smaller than possums with their lengths averaging between 3 and 22 inches while their weight ranges between 1 and 10 pounds.

The color of opossums is generally between pure white and black. Opossum can be pronounced with its first syllable either voiced or silent. Furthermore a visually identifiable difference between possum and opossum is that the possum has a fleshy tail covered with fur while opossum has a rat like fur less tail. The main difference between possum and opossum is that the possum is an australian marsupial whereas the opossum is a north american marsupial.

Opossums range in north america while possums range in oceania. The possum is primarily gray in color.