Possum and opossum are two different species that are often confused as the same. These two are distinct animals that have many differences when closely evaluated. Since their names are so similar to one another, these marsupials are always confused with one another. Even though there is just an alphabet difference in their names, both the animals are completely different from each other.
The Habitat
An opossum is majorly found in the continental states, like the United Staes, Southern Canada, and so on. The further land after Canada is very cold, and this makes it not habitable for them.
In case of possums, you can find them living in many places such as New Guinea, New Zealand, China, and Australia. These creatures prefer staying in the wooded regions and building dens in such areas. The main fact about these critters is that they can make the most out of all the available opportunities around them.
Body Features
The body shape of a possum is round, and it is covered by thick fur. The fur color is golden and is very thick and voluminous. The eyes of these creatures are peanut butter colored and this can be viewed under the sunlight. Their fur structure and color have given them another name, Golden Brushtail Possum.
The opossum has black eyes etched onto a white face. Their features include a sharp and pointed face and jagged teeth. These creatures are introverted and are found skulking on any animal that tries to get closer to them. Their tails look just like that of a rat and you can find them ransacking on the piles of trash that are found on the trashcans. These animals prefer migrating and adjusting to the transient life as they go.
The Size
The size of an opossum is comparatively larger than that of a possum. A possum is about 20 pounds in size, starting from an ounce. The size of a possum varies based on the thickness and volume of their tail. This factor is not the case with opossums, as they are uniformly sized. The weight of opossum ranges from 8.8 pounds, and their height can go to 2.4 feet.
Trusting Factor
Studies have shown that an opossum is introverted. They prefer deterring predators by playing dead in front of their enemies. They can stay in the unconscious stage for more than 2 minutes and fool their predators, and so has given birth to the term “playing opossum”.
On the contrary, the possums are known to be very trusting creatures. When you find them, you can notice them walking directly to you, as they are very friendly. This habit of these critters has made them easy prey to their predators as well as poachers.
Difference in their Order
Both the opossum and possum belong to the class marsupial. They differ in their orders. Possums come from the order Diprotodontia, consisting of 155 species. The term means “two forward teeth”. You can find many other animals belonging to this order, such as wombats, koalas, and kangaroos.
Opossums belong to the order Didelphimorphia. The term means “two wombs”. This order consists of 110 species. This order is the second largest species in the Western Hemisphere.
Dangerous Factor
The possums, also known as Brushtail Possums, are not the carriers of diseases. Their body produce natural resistance to the rabies virus, and hence, these are not harmful. They do not even bite.
The opossums have a high resistance to not only rabies virus, but also to some dangerous venom. For instance, studies have proven that an opossum can easily eat and digest a rattlesnake and survive without any harm to their physiology.
