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