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There are slightly different versions of how the 'possum got its name.
From WikiPedia (see also link below):
The Virginia Opossum is the original animal named "opossum". The word comes from Algonquian 'wapathemwa' meaning "white animal", not from Greek or Latin, so the plural is opossums. Colloquially, the Virginia Opossum is frequently called simply possum. The name is applied more generally to any of the other marsupials of the Didelphimorphia and Paucituberculata orders, which includes a number of opossum species in South America.
The possums of Australia, whose name is derived from a similarity to the Virginia Opossum, are also marsupials, but of the order Diprotodontia.
From the Opossum Society of the US:
The name "opossum" is derived from an Algonquian Indian word "apasum", meaning white animal.
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What do you call a female possum?
There is no particular name for a female possum.
What is a male possum called?
There is no particular name for a male possum.
What is the birth name of Possum Whitted?
Possum Whitted's birth name is George Bostic Whitted.
What is the latin name for brushtail possum?
The latin name for brushtail possums is better referred to as "scientific name". There are several subspecies of brushtail possums, and all have the scientific name of Trichosurus. They are as follows:Northern Brushtail Possum, Trichosurus arnhemensisCoppery Brushtail Possum, Trichosurus johnstoniiCommon Brushtail Possum, Trichosurus vulpeculaThere appears to be some overlapping of two subspecies, Short-eared Possum (Trichosurus caninus) and Mountain Brushtail Possum (Trichosurus cunninghami).The scientific names of both are often commonly applied to the Mountain Brushtail possum.
What is the name for a possum in South America?
* Leadbeater's possum * Ringtail possum * Brushtail possum * Pygmy possum * Feathertail glider * Greater glider * Lesser glider * Sugar glider * Cuscus
What is another name for the Australian honey possum?
In its native Australia, the honey possum is called the "noolbenger".
What is the name of a tree climbing marsupial?
There are several:Tree-kangarooKoalaPossum, e.g. Ringtail possum, Brushtail possum, Honey possum, Leadbeater's possum, Pygmy possum, etcOpossumQuollPhascogaleSugar gliderFeathertail gliderSquirrel gliderGreater gliderMahogany gliderYellow-bellied gliderCuscus
How did Possum Grape Arkansas get its name?
Possum grapes grow wild in the area, such is where the name came from. Possum grapes are fruit similar to muscadines, wild plums, dewberries, etc. It is commonly made into jellies and wines.
What is the name of a male opossum?
Mr. Possum
Is Australian honey possum called a tait?
Yes and no. Australians do not know the honey possum by the name of "tait".In its native habitat of Australia, the honey possum is called the "noolbenger".
Is the ringtail possum a solitary animal?
There are several species of ringtail possum. The Common ringtail possum is, as its name suggests, very common. It can be found in both bushland and in suburbia.
What is the scientific name for Brushtail Possums?
There are several subspecies of brushtail possums, and all have the scientific name of Trichosurus. They are as follows:Northern Brushtail Possum, Trichosurus arnhemensisCoppery Brushtail Possum, Trichosurus johnstoniiCommon Brushtail Possum, Trichosurus vulpeculaThere appears to be some overlapping of two subspecies, Short-eared Possum (Trichosurus caninus) and Mountain Brushtail Possum (Trichosurus cunninghami).The scientific names of both are often commonly applied to the Mountain Brushtail possum.
