The Virginia opossum is the original animal named "opossum". The word comes from Algonquian wapathemwa meaning "white animal". Colloquially, the Virginia opossum is frequently called simply "possum".
Water opossum was created in 1780.
Virginia opossum is the smallest. They also have muskrats.
White-eared opossum was created in 1840.
Chacoan gracile opossum was created in 1931.
Rufous mouse opossum was created in 1888.
Derby's woolly opossum was created in 1841.
Big-eared opossum was created in 1826.
Guahiba gracile opossum was created in 1931.
Bushy-tailed opossum was created in 1912.
Unduavi gracile opossum was created in 1931.
Agricola's gracile opossum was created in 1943.