i've been told they were the same animal. and told they were different animals.
2007-01-04 12:53:13 · 12 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Zoology
They are the same !! North America's only marsupial !!
2007-01-04 12:54:56 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
In the Americas, the words are interchangeable although I think "opossum" is more formal. In Australia there are more than twenty species called "possums" which include possums, pygmy possums, honey possums, gliders and cuscuses. There are more species on the island of New Guinea. New Zealand also has possums which were introduced from Australia but are now a pest.
2007-01-04 13:05:38 · answer #2 · answered by tentofield 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
same thing in different areas. opossum is the more formal form of the name, where as possum is what most people in rural areas call them.
people say that there is a difference between a cougar and a mountain lion too, same critter, different name.
2007-01-04 13:13:32 · answer #3 · answered by chris r 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I actually Dont know the difference. I grew up with the Opossum and what I have noticed is people cant spell it and tend to leave the "O" off I live in the US
2016-05-23 04:19:48 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I agree with tentofiel, there is a difference. The difference its where they live, one is found in Australia and the other North America.
2007-01-06 12:29:58 · answer #5 · answered by sammiegyrl 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They're the same. Possum is just a shortened version.
2007-01-04 13:22:25 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
possum is slang for opossum. same critter
2007-01-04 13:01:26 · answer #7 · answered by da_hammerhead 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
just the O in your spelling, that's it they are the one and the same animal.
2007-01-04 13:01:42 · answer #8 · answered by Sir Hard & Thick 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
its the same thing. its actually opossum.
2007-01-04 12:55:17 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
not where i live they are the same
2007-01-05 11:00:53 · answer #10 · answered by hill bill y 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋