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Revision as of 17:26, 30 July 2004 by 172.199.162.168 (talk)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)eo:Didelfo The word opossum (usually pronounced without the leading 'O', or with only a very slight schwa) refers either to the Virginia Opossum in particular, or more generally to any of the other marsupials of magnorder Ameridelphia. Opossums are the only marsupials in North America.
The name is from Algonquian wapathemwa, not Greek or Latin, so the plural is opossums, not opossa.
Opossums are about a foot long and resemble large, fat, rats. Their coats are a dull grayish brown, other than on their faces, which are white. Some characteristics of opossums are their hairless tails, 50 teeth (most among land mammals), and opposable thumbs on their rear limbs. Though some humans are fond of them, many consider them to be rather ugly.
A wild opossum's diet includes bugs (including cockroaches), snails, mice and rats, but, like raccoons, opposums can be found in urban environments, where they eat pet food, rotten fruit, and various human garbage. Opossums are nocturnal.
Opossums in captivity are known to engage in canibalism, though this is probably uncommon in the wild.
The Virginia Opossum is noted for its reaction to threat, which is to feign death. From this behavior comes the phrase "playing (o)possum". This behavior should not be taken as an indication of docility, for under serious threat, an opossum will respond ferociously. While "playing possum", the opossum actually enters a near coma. It lies on its side, mouth open, tongue hanging out, with green fluid emitting from its anus. It is believed that the opossum has evolved this behavior to ward off predators, which often aren't interested in consuming prey which are already dead.
Though opossum is often pronounced, and even spelled possum, the latter word actually refers to various distantly related but broadly similar animals of magnorder Australidelphia, that are native to Australasia and are an introduced pest in New Zealand. See possum.
See also: Pogo