OPOSSUM Meaning and
Definition
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Opossum is a noun that refers to a small to medium-sized marsupial native to the Americas. The term specifically encompasses the various species belonging to the family Didelphidae, which is known for its distinctive characteristics. Opossums typically have gray or brown fur, long tapered snouts, and prehensile tails that they use for balance and gripping objects. They also have hairless ears and sharp claws on their paws. Opossums are known for their ability to climb trees and often reside in hollowed-out cavities in the branches.
One unique trait of opossums is their pouch, located on the abdomen of females, in which they carry and nurse their young, known as joeys. This feature characterizes them as marsupials, a distinct mammal group that includes kangaroos and koalas. Additionally, opossums are famous for their defensive behavior of "playing possum," where they mimic death, lying motionless and appearing lifeless when threatened. This behavior is believed to be an involuntary stress response.
Opossums are omnivorous, consuming a varied diet that consists of fruits, insects, small vertebrates, carrion, and even garbage in urban environments. They play a significant role in ecosystems by serving as scavengers and helping control populations of pests. Due to their adaptability and wide geographical range, opossums are found in habitats ranging from forests to urban areas throughout North and South America.
In summary, an opossum refers to a marsupial mammal characterized by its distinctive physical features, including a prehensile tail, pouch (in females), and ability to mimic death. They are known for their omnivorous diet and play a vital role in various ecosystems
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An American and Australian quadruped that lives principally on trees, the females having abdominal pouches in which they carry and protect their young.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
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Etymology of OPOSSUM
The word "opossum" originates from the Powhatan language, which is a Native American language spoken by Algonquian tribes in the eastern United States. The Algonquian word for the animal is "opassum" or "aposoum", which was later anglicized to "opossum" in English. The term was first recorded by Captain John Smith in 1608 during the English colonization of Virginia. The term eventually became more widely accepted to refer to the marsupial species found in the Americas.
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