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opossum

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opossum

Any of a family of marsupials (mammals that carry their young in a pouch) native to North and South America. Most opossums are tree-living, nocturnal animals, with prehensile tails that can be used as an additional limb, and hands and feet well adapted for grasping. They range from 10 cm/4 in to 50 cm/20 in in length and are insectivorous, carnivorous, or, more commonly, omnivorous. (Family Didelphidae.)

The name is also popularly applied to some of the similar-looking phalangers found in Australia.

Most true opossums are confined to Central and South America, but the American opossum (Didelphis marsupialis), with yellowish-grey fur, has spread its range into North America.



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? Mentioned in ? References in classic literature
 
A BEAR, a Fox, and an Opossum were attacked by an inundation.
Fantastic-Fables by Bierce, Ambrose View in context
Some few species alone have passed the barrier, and may be considered as wanderers from the south, such as the puma, opossum, kinkajou, and peccari.
The Voyage of the Beagle by Darwin, Charles View in context
The staid, sober, thinking and industrious ones of our number would employ themselves in making corn-brooms, mats, horse-collars, and baskets; and another class of us would spend the time in hunting opossums, hares, and coons.
Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass An American Slave by Douglass, Frederick View in context
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