What Distinguishes a Possum from an Opossum?

In the 1600s, a peculiar creature was discovered in Virginia and sent to the Royal Society in London for study. This furry animal, with a pointed snout, sharp teeth, and most notably, a belly pouch, was initially described as a blend of a fox and an ape due to its strange features.

This strange animal was later identified as the only marsupial native to the United States and Canada. Today, we refer to them as opossums—named after the Algonquian word aposoum, meaning 'white dog' or 'white beast.' (Despite their fierce-sounding name, opossums are seldom dangerous. In fact, they’re quite helpful to gardeners, as they consume pests like beetles, slugs, and ticks.)

Opossum or Possum?

Where do possums come into the picture? You might occasionally refer to the pink-nosed creature scurrying along the road as a possum, which is an acceptable shortened form of opossum. However, the term without the 'o' refers to something quite different outside of North America.

While possum is sometimes used as a synonym for opossum, it can also refer to an entirely different species found in New Guinea, Australia, Indonesia, and other parts of the Pacific. Although both possums and opossums share many similarities—including being nocturnal, omnivorous, tree-dwelling marsupials that are famous for playing dead when threatened— they differ significantly in appearance. (The image above shows what a common brushtail possum looks like.)

Regarding pronunciation, it's a common myth that the first 'o' in opossum is silent. Merriam-Webster, Grammarly, and Dictionary.com all state that the word is pronounced 'uh-possum,' with the first vowel voiced. However, if you opt for the abbreviated form, possum, it's perfectly fine to drop the 'o' sound. Unless you're speaking with an Australian, either version will likely be understood.