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They didn't.
Some believe that possums and opossums are both the same animal. This is quite incorrect, however. The marsupials in Australia and quite unrelated to those in America.
The "possum" of North America is just a shorter name for an opossum, but true possums are different from opossums, and not related at all, except by virtue of both animals being marsupials.
- Possums belong to the family Phalangeridae and order Marsupialia, while opossums belong to the order Didelphimorphia, although they are also marsupials.
- Opossums are found only in North America, although there is a "water possum", also known as the yapok, which is found in central and South America.
- True possums are found in New Guinea, Australia (including Tasmania), Sulawesi (Indonesia) and a few other small islands in the Pacific region. Although not native to New Zealand, the brush-tailed possum was introduced into that country over a century ago and has subsequently become a pest.
- The North American Opossum has a bare tail. All varieties of Australian possums have furry tails.
- There are many varieties of possums in Australia (and New Guinea), including Gliders and the Cuscus. There are more limited species of the opossum.
- Captain Cook's botanist, Sir Joseph Banks, named the Australian animal "Possum", referring to it as "an animal of the Opossum tribe" because he believed there was a physical resemblance.
- Opossums were named by Captain John Smith in 1612.
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Do possums have predators?
The predators of true possums, which live in Australia, are eagles, hawks, owls and quolls. Foxes, which have been introduced to Australia, are also predators of possums. Possums should not be confused with opossums, which live in North America, and are not related to possums.
Is there possums in possum pie?
There are no possums in possum pie, as true possums are found in Australia and nearby islands, and they are protected in Australia. Possums are not the same as opossums.
Do possums come from America originally?
Possums are different to opossums. Possums belong to the family Phalangeridae and order Marsupialia, while opossums belong to the order Didelphimorphia, although they are also marsupials. Possums are found in New Guinea, Australia (including Tasmania), Sulawesi (Indonesia) and a few other small islands in the Pacific region. Possums are not native to New Zealand, but the brush-tailed possum was introduced into that country over a century ago and has subsequently become a pest.
What year did the possums arrive in Australia?
Possums are native to Australia, and have always been here.
What states do possums live in?
True possums are native to Australia, and are quite different to the North American opossum. Possums live in all of the states of Australia.
Which state has possums?
Given that true possums are found only in Australia, and are quite different to the North American opossum, all states of Australia have possums.
Do possums keep skunks away?
Not likely. True possums live in Australia (and have been introduced to New Zealand) while skunks live in North America. A possum is not the same as an opossum.
Are there any blood diseases dogs can get from possums?
Not in Australia, from any Australian possums.
Do possums live in North America?
Possums do not live in North America. Possum is the shortened form of the word "opossum" in North America. True possums are found only in Australia and New Zealand, to which they have been introduced.The Virginia opossum is found throughout Mexico and to the north, east of the Rocky Mountains, as far as Ontario. It has been introduced to the Pacific coast as well.
Where are possums most common?
True possums are native to Australia, where they are found in prolific numbers.
Will possums inhabit a armadillo burrow?
No - for one often misunderstood reason: true possums are native marsupials of Australia, not North America. The marsupial which occupies the same continent as armadillos is the opossum, a completely unrelated animal.
Is there possums in the savanna?
Possums are not found in the svannah. Possums are native to Australia; they are found in native bushland, rainforest as well as in suburban areas.
