5 Facts About Opossums

Are possums and opossums the same?

No, possums and opossums are not the same animal, though in the U.S., people usually mean the same animal. Opossums live in North America, have bare tails, and coarse, grey fur. Possums live in Australia and surrounding areas, have thick, fluffy tails, and are generally more golden or brown. 

•  They're immune to some snake venom: Possums have a unique adaptation that allows them to be immune to certain types of snake venom. This is because they have a protein in their blood that neutralizes the venom of some venomous snakes, including copperheads and rattlesnakes.
• They have opposable thumbs: Well, sort of. Possums have a prehensile tail that they can use to grasp onto objects, almost like an extra limb. This helps them to climb and balance in trees, as well as to carry food and nesting material.
• They play dead as a defense mechanism: We've all heard the phrase "playing possum," but did you know that this is actually a defense mechanism that possums use when they feel threatened? When they're faced with danger, they'll collapse and remain still, with their tongue hanging out and their eyes closed. This makes them appear dead to predators, who will hopefully lose interest and move on.
• They have a short lifespan: While some possums have been known to live up to 4 years in the wild, their average lifespan is much shorter - around 1 to 2 years. This is due to a variety of factors, including predation, disease, and accidents.
• They're not rodents: While possums are often mistaken for rodents, they're actually a completely different type of animal. They belong to the order Didelphimorphia, which is a group of marsupials found mainly in the Americas. Unlike rodents, possums have a pouch in which they carry and nurse their young, and they also have a different set of teeth and jaw structure.