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Why is the Virginia opossum considered a generalist and the koala is considered a specialist?
Wiki User
∙ 12y ago
The koala is considered a "specialist" because it can only survive within a very specialised environment, specifically where there are certain species of eucalyptus trees. The koala has a limited diet, feeding on the leaves of those trees alone. This is what makes it a specialist.
The Virginia opossum is considered a generalist because it is able to survive in a variety of environments. It is not limited to a single food source or a single type of environment. It feeds on a variety of fruits, insects, plants, and small vertebrates. As it can easily find food almost anywhere in its environment, this is what makes it a generalist.
Wiki User
∙ 12y ago
Wiki User
∙ 12y agoThe Virginia opossum is considered a generalist because it is able to survive in a variety of environments. It is not limited to a single food source or a single type of environment. It feeds on a variety of fruits, insects, plants, and small vertebrates. As it can easily find food almost anywhere in its environment, this is what makes it a generalist.
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When was Virginia opossum created?
Virginia opossum was created in 1792.
What languages does the word opossum come from?
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".
What danger does a specialist face that a generalist does not?
The danger faced by a specialist species is that its food source will run out, or its habitat be destroyed. A specialist is a species which survives on a fairly limited diet (e.g. koalas, which feed almost exclusively on certain species of eucalyptus leaves) or is restricted to a particular locality (such as the tuatara of New Zealand, a species found in only a few offshore islands of the country). Because the specialist has such a limited range of food or habitat, it is more vulnerable to loss of food sources or habitat than a generalist is. Generalists are species which can survive in a wide variety of habitats, or feed on a range of different foods (e.g. the Virginia opossum). As a species, they are far less vulnerable to habitat loss, or to the possibility of losing a primary food source, as they can adapt to finding other foods.
What danger does a specialist face a generalist does not?
The danger faced by a specialist species is that its food source will run out, or its habitat be destroyed. A specialist is a species which survives on a fairly limited diet (e.g. koalas, which feed almost exclusively on certain species of eucalyptus leaves) or is restricted to a particular locality (such as the tuatara of New Zealand, a species found in only a few offshore islands of the country). Because the specialist has such a limited range of food or habitat, it is more vulnerable to loss of food sources or habitat than a generalist is. Generalists are species which can survive in a wide variety of habitats, or feed on a range of different foods (e.g. the Virginia opossum). As a species, they are far less vulnerable to habitat loss, or to the possibility of losing a primary food source, as they can adapt to finding other foods.
What danger does a specialist face that generalist does not?
The danger faced by a specialist species is that its food source will run out, or its habitat be destroyed. A specialist is a species which survives on a fairly limited diet (e.g. koalas, which feed almost exclusively on certain species of eucalyptus leaves) or is restricted to a particular locality (such as the tuatara of New Zealand, a species found in only a few offshore islands of the country). Because the specialist has such a limited range of food or habitat, it is more vulnerable to loss of food sources or habitat than a generalist is. Generalists are species which can survive in a wide variety of habitats, or feed on a range of different foods (e.g. the Virginia opossum). As a species, they are far less vulnerable to habitat loss, or to the possibility of losing a primary food source, as they can adapt to finding other foods.
What dangers does a specialist face that a generalist does not?
The danger faced by a specialist species is that its food source will run out, or its habitat be destroyed. A specialist is a species which survives on a fairly limited diet (e.g. koalas, which feed almost exclusively on certain species of eucalyptus leaves) or is restricted to a particular locality (such as the tuatara of New Zealand, a species found in only a few offshore islands of the country). Because the specialist has such a limited range of food or habitat, it is more vulnerable to loss of food sources or habitat than a generalist is. Generalists are species which can survive in a wide variety of habitats, or feed on a range of different foods (e.g. the Virginia opossum). As a species, they are far less vulnerable to habitat loss, or to the possibility of losing a primary food source, as they can adapt to finding other foods.
Fastest reproduction rates?
Virginia opossum
Are specialist and generalist the same or different?
A Specialist is someone who is an expertise in a certain field. Example: A doctor who specializes in ADHD. He has a tremendous amount of knowledge and education on that one area. A Generalist has a broad range of knowledge and education over several areas.
What is the difference between specialist species and generalist species and give an example of each?
A specialist is a species with a narrow nuche. It survives on a fairly limited diet (e.g. koalas, which feed almost exclusively on certain species of eucalyptus leaves) or is restricted to a particular locality (such as the tuatara of New Zealand, a species found in only a few offshore islands of the country). Generalists are species with much broader niches. They can survive in a wide variety of habitats, or feed on a range of different foods (e.g. the Virginia opossum, or the mouse).
What is the states smallest mammal of Virginia?
Virginia opossum is the smallest. They also have muskrats.
What is the only marsupual found in Tennessee?
Virginia Opossum
How many types of opossums are there in north America?
There is just one species of opossum in North America, and that is the Virginia opossum.
