The Virginia opossum, also known as the North American opossum, is the only opossum living north of Mexico, its range extending south into Central America. It is the northernmost marsupial in the world. In the United States and Canada, it is typically called a possum. It is a solitary nocturnal animal about the size of a domestic cat, and a successful opportunist.
Virginia opossum
Skull of a Virginia opossum
The back foot has an opposable "thumb".
Opossum tracks (photo center) in mud: Left-fore print appears on left center of photo, right-hind print appears right center. The small, circular tracks at bottom center of photo were made by a meadow vole. The yellow ruler (top) is in inches.
Opossums are members of the marsupial order Didelphimorphia endemic to the Americas. The largest order of marsupials in the Western Hemisphere, it comprises 126 species in 18 genera. Opossums originated in South America and entered North America in the Great American Interchange following the connection of North and South America.
Opossum
An opossum on top of a fence
Virginia opossum feigning death, or "playing possum"
Juvenile Virginia opossum hissing defensively