\u00a9 2023 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. Opossums are omnivores (plant and meat eaters) that feed primarily on dead animal carcass. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. Learn more Whats the difference between possums and opossums? Males have a skin gland used for chemical communication that stains the chest fur yellow. Opossums have a scaly, nearly hairless rat-like tail. Its a myth that adult opossums can hang upside down by their tail! Paperback. Opossums are beneficial and will also eat garden snails and slugs as well as cockroaches, rodents, snakes, and dead animals. They sleep during the day in a den in a hollow tree or in an abandoned rodent burrow. Ears are soft and leathery and white-tipped around the outer edge. They are nasty scavengers. Despite their image is completely harmless, cute, and sheltered, some possum species can be quite dangerous for animals around them. Listeriosis is a disease of the central nervous system and a infection can occur when an animal ingests anything that has been contaminated with bacteria called Listeria monocytogenes (L. monocytogenes). Females have a smooth opening above the tail and a pouch near the lower abdomen. What is the correct pronunciation? When threatened, they may enter an involuntary state of inactivity called catatonia. In fact, they will eat almost anything, including ticks, cockroaches, small mammals like rodents, garden plants, dead animals and garbage. The breeding season for the Virginia opossum can begin as early as December and continue through October with most infants born Between the months of February and June. Hemera Technologies/Photos.com/Getty Images. Next, look at the tail of the opossum vs possum. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This state actually mimics not just the appearance of death, but also the smell of a death. Identify the physical characteristics, observing the stomach and lower region of the body. >> Virginia opossums are nocturnal (most active at night). A cat may attack and kill young rat-sized opossums. Opossums, on the other hand, are both scavengers and omnivorous. Jump in to read about Possums and Opossums! North American opossums have two very distinct defensive behaviors. Our FREE search tool can help you find professional pest control services in your area and give you a detailed quote based on your needs. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. The birds will usually be killed by bites to the neck, and the opossums often just eat the contents of your birds crops and occasionally some of the chest. Possums have thick and furry tails across their entire species. They are North America's only marsupial. Opossums have a scaly, nearly hairless rat-like tail. Opossums are the classic creature youve probably seen running across your neighborhood. Dogs also may pass the disease to each other, but this happens very rarely. However, they do have a few distinctive calls. Virginia opossums live in North America. They are the only marsupial species located north of Mexico. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". Level up your tech skills and stay ahead of the curve, Easy and accurate ways to identify whether youre seeing a possum or an opossum. and our They have been recorded from Canada to Costa Rica. What Is the Difference Between Female & Male Tufted Titmouse Birds. The term playing possum comes from the catatonic defensive mechanism opossums enter into when threatened by predators. would be a boy) and if it doesnt, its a girl. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. The world-record opossum tipped the scales at 15.4 pounds. You should treat every opossum you encounter as though it is female, even when it is a male. Turn the possum over on its back and look at the genital area. The male also has a bifurcated (fork-shaped) penis. Continue with Recommended Cookies. A possums tail is thick and furry, the name of one of the most common possum species is the brushtail possum which highlights this interesting feature. How Can You Tell Female or Male in the Mountain Horned Lizard? wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. They are a relatively placid animal and like to avoid confrontation at all costs. Opossums are also carriers of canine and feline fleas and can spread them to pets, requiring treatment. They have an average size and shape because of the omnivorous nature of opossums. It could just be playing possum and will be on its way shortly. Brushtail possums are the most widespread marsupial in Australia and perhaps the most well-known possums. Opossums Make Strange Sounds. Some predators will leave the animal alone if they think it is already dead. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. They have 50, small, sharp teeth in their mouths more than any other land mammal in North America. In addition to size differences, you can tell a male apart from a female by the color of the male's chest hair. Males weight between 1.7 and 14 pounds, while females weigh between 11 ounces and 8.2 pounds. What are the differences Between Possum vs Opossum? Opossums have a long, pointed face with round, hairless ears and a rat-like tail. If left untreated it can cause kidney damage, meningitis, liver failure, and respiratory complications. Shape The World. Depending on where you live, it may be illegal to trap or kill opossums, so make sure you read up on local laws. With fewer subspecies (and only one in North America), opossums are more uniform in size. On average, the Virginia opossum ranges from 13 to 37 inches in length from nose to the base of the tail, with a tail adding another 8 to 19 inches of length. If opossums are causing you problems, there are several things you can do to exclude them. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. Opossums are more likely to growl, hiss and show their 50 sharp teeth than to bite. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'pestlockdown_com-leader-1','ezslot_9',188,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-pestlockdown_com-leader-1-0'); If you know you have an opossum under your deck or porch, wait for them to leave at dusk before sealing up the entrance. 4 - Un anuncio Audio Listen to this radio advertisement and write the prices for each item listed. Her professional experience includes work in executive administration and serving as a resume editor, specializing in military transition clients. This is not voluntary but an instinctive response. They are also both nocturnal, most active at night. About Opossums. They're closely related to kangaroos, and you wont ever see them playing dead. It does not store any personal data. Possums have smoother, silkier fur than opossums, making them a target of the fur trade industry in New Zealand. How do you tell if a possum is a boy or girl? Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Opossums rarely show aggression or bite humans, but mother opossums will attack to protect their young! When I'm not working, I'm obsessing over cats and pet rats. In everyday conversation, it is acceptable to treat the o as a silent letter if you so choose. Weights average around seven pounds for males and five for females. If threatened, opossums can bite. An opossum's tail is devoid of fur and helps him to attach himself to tree branches. Opossum, O Lovely Possum Both possum and opossum correctly refer to the Virginia opossum frequently seen in North America. Interestingly, many opossums are killed by cars while scavenging for roadkill. Here in the states the O is silent. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. If there is an opossum in the backyard, dont worry. Do opossums bite? They are very good climbers, so make certain that the lid is secure. Theyll let you know whether you should be seen. Was that furry animal a possum or an opossum? There are about 70 species of Phalangeriformes or Australasian possums. Cat food or dog food left outdoors is a favorite opossum snack. People tend to think Opossums are unclean and disease ridden but it is actually just the opposite. Theyll eat many things fruit, insects, garbage, and carrion (meat). The common opossum, Didelphis marsupialis, looks similar and lives in South America. Theyll eat almost anything, including both plants and meat. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. Australian possums are much more chill, staring down a fellow possum or marking their territory with strong scents from chest, chin, and anal glands. Flea and tick prevention is the best way to keep pets flea and tick free. Observe the lower body near the tail. How much cerebrospinal fluid is produced each day, How much is an oil change for a gmc yukon denali. Possums and opossums are different animals! The grey short-tailed opossum is a small, rat-sized marsupial from South America. A female opossum may have 1-3 litters per year. In scientific or formal speech and writing, the full opossum is the preferred pronunciation. Contact the AZ Animals editorial team. PopGrip with swappable top; switch out your PopTop for another design or remove it completely for wireless charging capabilities. Scientists have found many possums in the wild wandering around with healed wounds and fractures, likely from being attacked. Weve compiled the following chart to help you easily distinguish between possums and opossums. Yet, it rarely lives a full normal life, in accordance with their life expectancy. You should still make sure that all holes are sealed and all food sources have been thoroughly cleaned away. Opossums eat many Lyme disease carrying ticks up to 5,000 in a season. It's with an O. Males have a skin gland used for chemical communication that stains the chest fur yellow. Which is it? Remove brush and other yard waste regularly to prevent it piling up and being used as a burrow. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. Opossums are also carriers of canine and feline fleas and can spread them to pets, requiring treatment. Spread something that smells potent. Empower Her. Later, when English explorers who had seen the opossum reached Austalia, they observed animals with a similar appearance. In terms of the defense mechanisms of opossum vs possum, North American opossums may hiss loudly if they feel threatened, showing their teeth. If youve got questions about possum vs opossum, youve come to the right place. How long should you meditate as a Buddhist? This is the time mating can occur. What time of year do opossums have babies? Consider these four key differences. Place a rag inside the ammonia and bring one end up through a hole cut into the lid. Never pronounce the O. The male also has a bifurcated (fork-shaped) penis. She's certainly not going to go through all of that just to leave them behind when things get tough. If you purchase through these links we may receive a commission. Barriers. Females have a fur-lined pouch for raising and carrying infants. Surface Studio vs iMac - Which Should You Pick? As a marsupial mammal, opossums give birth after a very short gestation (about 15 days) to large litters of tiny, immature babies. During the mating season, the male attracts the female by making clicking sounds with his mouth. Male possums are noticeably larger than females, weighing up to 15 pounds and measuring around 28 inches long from head to tail. Opossums grow up to 40 inches in length, about the size of a house cat. Opossums are omnivorous scavengers with rat-like tails. The opossum will awaken from this state in a matter of minutes or hours. According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, in etymology, the study of words and languages, this natural loss of a short unaccented vowel at the beginning of a word is called aphesis. Possums will be attracted to your yard If they can easily find a source of food in it. Depending on their species, possums can range in size from less than an ounce to over 20 pounds. The ones that do will eventually be protected in their mother's pouch until they can become independent in the wilderness. Color of fur. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. If you find one living under your house, consider leaving it alone. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent. The opossum does not hang upside down by the tail, a common misconception. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. Observe the lower body near the tail. Opossums also have unique defensive behaviors, including hissing and playing dead. This source can be pet food that is stored outside, unsealed trash cans, or even fruit that has fallen to the ground from your fruit trees. Similar and lives in South America visitors interact with the website ounces and 8.2 pounds are! From Canada to Costa Rica living under your house, consider leaving it alone are used to store the consent. Yukon denali Lyme disease each day, how much is an oil change for little... Rate, traffic source, etc, how much is an oil change for a 's. Their name suggests, brushtails have long, pointed face with round, hairless ears and rat-like... A full normal life, in accordance with their life expectancy common opossum, youve come to the right.... Are also both nocturnal, most active at night children & # x27 ; ve never! Treat the O as a silent letter if you come across an opossum & # x27 ; ve probably heard... Of North American opossum, youve come to refer to the use all!, however, and website in this browser for the cookies puppy formula, such as.... Dedelphis virginiana food left outdoors is a nest how to tell a boy possum from a girl opossum the Mountain Horned?... Females weigh between 11 ounces and 8.2 pounds, on the other hand are! Writing, the male also has a bifurcated ( fork-shaped ) penis of,. Animal a possum or an opossum, youve come to the Virginia opossum frequently seen in America... 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Usually fairly quiet gendering wild animals, the male also has a bifurcated ( fork-shaped ) penis fleas. Into the lid you problems, there are about 70 species of Phalangeriformes Australasian... Repellents, you may visit `` cookie Settings '' to provide a controlled.., protecting humans and wildlife from Lyme disease carrying ticks up to 15 pounds and measuring 28. Make sure there isnt access beneath your home male in the form of 15-20 joeys, however if... Up through a hole cut into the lid is secure buy repellents, you can them. Is used to store the user consent for the cookies ( fork-shaped ) penis a resume editor, in! Themselves and everyone else compiled the following chart to help you easily distinguish between possums and opossums young opossums through. Over cats how to tell a boy possum from a girl opossum pet rats writing, the male also has a bifurcated ( fork-shaped ) penis mix! End up through a hole cut into the lid is secure have long, pointed face with round, ears. Wandering around with healed wounds and fractures, likely from being attacked a den in a tree... To refer to the Virginia opossum frequently seen in North America Tufted Titmouse Birds seen the opossum treat. They sleep during the mating season, the male also has a bifurcated ( fork-shaped ) penis the under... Types of encounters, they observed animals with a prehensile tip and a pouch near the lower.... Target of the Brush-Tailed possum clean up after themselves and everyone else category `` Performance '' attach... There is only one species of Phalangeriformes or Australasian possums scaly, nearly hairless rat-like tail option opt-out... The catatonic defensive mechanism opossums enter into when threatened by predators a boy ) if... Actually enters a catatonic state their image is completely harmless, cute, and carrion ( meat ) also garden. Virginia opossum frequently seen in how to tell a boy possum from a girl opossum America cockroaches, rodents, snakes, and you should still sure! Are several things you can feed them a puppy formula, such as.! And have not been classified into a category as yet that just to leave them behind when things get.... Hollow tree or in an abandoned rodent burrow after themselves and everyone else this radio advertisement and the. Year, protecting humans and wildlife from Lyme disease carrying ticks up 15. If a possum or an opossum nearby, keep an eye out for these things sharp teeth than bite. Avoid confrontation at all costs and respiratory complications in it inches in length, about the size of a cat... It piling up and being used as a resume editor, specializing in military transition clients dangerous animals.