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| The '''opossum''' (''Didelphis marsupialis'' or ''D. virginiana'') is a ] found in |
The '''opossum''' (''Didelphis marsupialis'' or ''D. virginiana'') is a ] found in ]. It is often found rummaging through garbage cans or dead by the side of the road. The name is from ] ''wapathemwa'', not ] or ], so the plural is ''opossums'', not ''*opossa''. | ||
| The opossum is noted for its reaction to threat, which is to feign death. This is called "playing possum". | The opossum is noted for its reaction to threat, which is to feign death. This is called "playing possum". | ||
Revision as of 11:01, 28 March 2002
The opossum (Didelphis marsupialis or D. virginiana) is a marsupial found in North America. It is often found rummaging through garbage cans or dead by the side of the road. The name is from Algonquian wapathemwa, not Greek or Latin, so the plural is opossums, not *opossa.
The opossum is noted for its reaction to threat, which is to feign death. This is called "playing possum".