This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Marj Tiefert (talk | contribs) at 11:01, 28 March 2002 (also found in California, which isn't eastern). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.
Revision as of 11:01, 28 March 2002 by Marj Tiefert (talk | contribs) (also found in California, which isn't eastern)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)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".