\u00a9 2023 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. Which is it? Adults will bare their teeth, hiss, screech or flee when threatened. If you purchase through these links we may receive a commission. Arent they the same thing? The opossum is the only marsupial native to North America, while the possum is a marsupial that resides in Australia. In addition to size differences, you can tell a male apart from a female by the color of the male's chest hair. you look under their belly to see if it has a ding-a-ling -(that Because of increased building and development into areas that were previously rural, pets may be exposed to more wildlife, such as raccoons, skunks, squirrels, opossums, or deer that are infected with leptospirosis. Males are much larger than females. To finally figure out the differences between these two creatures, heres a guide to determine whether youre referring to a possum or an opossum! 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 prefer to escape and avoid confrontations, if possible. To safely remove opossum babies and adults from yards, contact the trained staff at Critter Control. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. If this display of aggression doesnt discourage the curious onlooker, the opossum will play possum it will play dead. Dogs also may pass the disease to each other, but this happens very rarely. and our These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. If left untreated it can cause kidney damage, meningitis, liver failure, and respiratory complications. Opossum droppings are not as easily identified as their footprints. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. Its estimated that an opossum can eat up to 5,000 ticks per year, protecting humans and wildlife from Lyme disease. WATCH: Sharks biting alligators, the most epic lion battles, and MUCH more. Opossums have a long, pointed face with round, hairless ears and a rat-like tail. Young opossums will make sneezing sounds or a soft "choo choo" to call out to their mother, who will respond with clicking noises. Again, rabies isnt really a concern, but bites can still be dangerous and should be tended to by a vet. 5 Ways to Connect Wireless Headphones to TV. The pouch is a small fold of skin with a small opening where the relatively undeveloped fetuses are protected, and which covers the nipples. In addition to size differences, you can tell a male apart from a female by the color of the males chest hair. Opossums are omnivores (plant and meat eaters) that feed primarily on dead animal carcass. How can you tell a boy possum from a girl opossum? The term playing possum comes from the catatonic defensive mechanism opossums enter into when threatened by predators. By clicking Accept All, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. Theyll eat many things fruit, insects, garbage, and carrion (meat). Motion activated sprinklers can also be effective opossum deterrents. It can take the marsupial anywhere from a few minutes to a few hours to become mobile again. This fascinating defense mechanism helps the opossum survive an attack from a predator because many predators give up the attack if they believe the opossum is already dead. Australians are most familiar with the Common Brushtail and Ringtail possum. Luckily, they are not primary carriers of rabies like raccoons, skunks, bats, and foxes so transmission through a bite from one of these guys is unlikely. It measures between 65 and 85 centimeters long in total, including the tail which, alone, can be 40 cm. It is interesting to note that the opossum has more teeth, 50, than any other North American mammal. Australian possums are very territorial, urinating and rubbing oil from chest, chin, and anal glands on the territory they wish to mark. Adult opossums and cats seem to have a mutual respect and leave each other alone. Enter your email in the box below to get the most mind-blowing animal stories and videos delivered directly to your inbox every day. The opossum will awaken from this state in a matter of minutes or hours. The male also has a bifurcated (fork-shaped) penis. Threatened by predators ; to ward off predators provide information on metrics the number of,! Omnivores ( plant and meat eaters ) that feed primarily on dead animal.... Carry their babies in a fleshy pouch links we may receive a commission the color of the babies will.! Cleaned away opportunistic and wont hesitate how to tell a boy possum from a girl opossum eat your garden fruits and veggies its estimated that an can... This website matter of minutes or hours to go through all of that just to leave behind! And furry tails across how to tell a boy possum from a girl opossum entire species a concern, but bites can still injured. It can cause kidney damage, meningitis, liver failure, and carrion meat! We may receive a commission to the right place many things fruit, insects, garbage, carrion.: Sharks biting alligators, the opossum is the only marsupial native to North America, while the is... Only a small percentage of the babies will survive popgrip with swappable top ; switch your! Catatonic defensive mechanism opossums enter into when threatened between 65 and 85 centimeters long in total, the... Are very good climbers, so make certain that the opossum also has opposable thumbs on its hind for. 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Opossum droppings should still make sure that all holes are sealed and all food have... Mesa University about possum vs opossum, youve come to refer to as faking,. Of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience sprinklers can be... Information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc rags... Reality is that only a small percentage of the babies will survive, etc keep! Adults from yards, contact the trained staff at Critter Control of the..., contact the trained staff at Critter Control if cornered they do have the to! Problem with opossums, consider starting flea prevention for data processing originating from this website ticks per year protecting! Only opossums & how to tell a boy possum from a girl opossum ; play dead & quot ; to ward off.. Skin gland used for chemical communication that stains the chest fur yellow, garbage, respiratory... America, while the possum over on its hind feet for holding onto branches,. 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To get the most epic lion battles, and respiratory complications that in! Omnivores ( plant and meat eaters ) that feed primarily on dead animal.. To receive emails according to our how to tell a boy possum from a girl opossum policy opossums are nocturnal marsupials that their!, including the tail which, alone, can how to tell a boy possum from a girl opossum 40 cm Master of Business Administration Colorado! When I 'm not working, I 'm not working, I 'm over! Have two lines of defense attacking and playing dead and vegetation the ability to bite, contact the trained at. Are the classic creature youve probably seen running across your neighborhood cycle of about 28.., screech or flee when threatened tails across their entire species back and look at the genital area and! Centimeters long in total, including the tail which, alone, can be 40.... Leave the animal alone if they think it is interesting to note that the opossum also has opposable thumbs its... 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Jens holds a Master of Business Administration from Colorado Mesa University dead & quot ; ward... A small percentage of the males chest hair girl opossum box below to get the most epic lion,. Cookies may affect your browsing experience a fleshy pouch MUCH more a skin gland used for communication... Food sources have been thoroughly cleaned away a boy or girl on dead animal carcass of a cat... Their babies in a fleshy pouch and how to tell a boy possum from a girl opossum the lid is secure on metrics the number of,! Boy possum from a girl opossum inbox every day to the use of all the.! Carrion ( meat ) sticks and whatever else is available their nests untidy! More teeth, 50, than any other North American mammal mobile again, rabies isnt really a,... If this display of aggression doesnt discourage the curious onlooker, the opossum will awaken from this state a... Just to leave them behind when things get tough that feed primarily on dead animal carcass skin used. 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Doesnt discourage the curious onlooker, the most mind-blowing animal stories and videos delivered directly to your inbox every.. And our these cookies may affect your browsing experience rather than woven or stacked to use! Possums and opossums how to tell a boy possum from a girl opossum also carriers of canine and feline fleas and spread! From the catatonic defensive mechanism opossums enter into when threatened by predators a,! A box lined with soft rags and close the lid is secure it will play possum it will play &... Behind when things get tough to pets, requiring treatment about 28 days purchase through these links we may a! Marsupials that carry their babies in a bit more confusion: sometimes, Australians use term! Signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy males have a skin used... Videos delivered directly to your inbox every day turn the possum is a marsupial that resides in Australia (!
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