1240: “Opossum vs Possum”
Interesting Things with JC #1240: “Opossum vs Possum” – A silent "o" hides a massive biological and cultural divide. From death-fainting opossums in North America to the tree-hugging possums of Australia, this episode breaks down the myth, the history, and the science behind these marsupials.
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Episode Title: Opossum vs Possum
Episode Number: #1240
Host: JC
Audience: Grades 9–12, college intro, homeschool, lifelong learners
Subject Area: Biology, Evolutionary Science, Cultural History, Language and Etymology
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By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:
Define the biological and behavioral traits of the opossum and the possum.
Compare the evolutionary, ecological, and geographic distinctions between North American opossums and Australian possums.
Analyze how language and colonial history contributed to zoological misnaming.
Explain the ecological role of the Virginia opossum in urban and suburban environments.
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Thanatosis (than-uh-TOH-sis) — A biological response where an animal mimics death to avoid predation. The opossum engages in this as a survival instinct.
Marsupial (mar-SOO-pee-uhl) — A type of mammal that carries and nurses its young in a pouch. Both opossums and possums fall into this category.
Prehensile (pree-HEN-suhl) — Adapted for grasping or holding. The opossum’s tail is prehensile and aids in balance and climbing.
Etymology (eh-tih-MAHL-uh-jee) — The study of the origin of words. The word “opossum” comes from the Powhatan term apasum, meaning “white animal.”
Trichosurus vulpecula (try-KOH-sure-us vul-PECK-yoo-luh) — The scientific name for the Common Brushtail Possum of Australia, distinct from North America's opossum.
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Open: The episode opens with a common misconception: people often think they’ve seen a “possum,” but most have actually seen an “opossum.”
Info: It provides a biological and ecological overview of the Virginia opossum, highlighting its misunderstood role in tick control and urban ecosystems.
Details: The twist emerges in comparing the North American opossum to the Australian possum, revealing they are entirely different species, misnamed due to colonial assumptions.
Reflection: The reflection focuses on how cultural perception and language influence how we value (or devalue) species.
Closing: These are interesting things, with JC
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Most people think they’ve seen a possum. They’ll describe it as about the size of a housecat, with coarse fur, beady eyes, and a rat-like tail. They’ll tell you it hissed or maybe even played dead. But unless they were in Australia, they didn’t see a possum. They saw an opossum (uh-PAH-sum)—and the difference isn’t just spelling. It’s an evolutionary divide that spans continents, cultures, and centuries of mistaken identity.
The Virginia opossum (Didelphis virginiana / dye-DEL-fis vir-jin-ee-AY-nuh*) is the only marsupial native to North America. It has a body temperature of around 94 to 97 degrees Fahrenheit (34.4 to 36.1°C), which makes it a poor host for rabies. More remarkably, it's a frontline soldier in our war against ticks, consuming up to 5,000 of them per season. In a time when Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses are rising across the United States, this creature has become a quiet hero in suburbia.
Yet the opossum has a PR problem. They’re often dismissed as dirty scavengers. Cities and suburbs frequently label them as pests, despite their low disease risk, shy nature, and ecological benefits. It’s part of a broader issue with how urban wildlife is judged: by appearance, not function.
On the other side of the world, the name possum belongs to a very different animal. Australia’s Common Brushtail Possum (Trichosurus vulpecula / try-KOH-sure-us vul-PECK-yoo-luh*) has a plush coat, a curled bushy tail, and big eyes designed to melt hearts. Australians often welcome them—sometimes even leaving out fruit—and under the Wildlife Act, it’s illegal in several territories to trap or relocate one without a permit.
But how did two unrelated animals wind up sharing almost the same name?
The answer traces back to the early 1600s, when Captain John Smith recorded the term opassom—derived from the Powhatan (POW-uh-tan) word apasum (AH-pah-sum), meaning “white animal.” Over a century later, British colonists in Australia—lacking zoological precision—encountered unfamiliar marsupials and dubbed them “possums,” dropping the “o” and importing confusion that’s lasted ever since.
The animals themselves couldn’t be more different. Opossums have 50 sharp teeth—the most of any North American mammal—and a prehensile tail used for balance. They eat carrion, insects, fruit, and even small animals. Brushtail possums, in contrast, are herbivores with padded feet and opposable toes, evolved for climbing and canopy life. One is evolutionarily tuned to cleanup. The other is built to blend in with leaves.
And when threatened, the opossum doesn’t run—it collapses. This behavior, called thanatosis (than-uh-TOH-sis), is a neurological shutdown triggered by intense fear. The animal emits a foul smell from its anal glands, curls into a death pose, and lies still—sometimes for hours. It’s not an act. It’s instinct.
But while one marsupial plays dead to survive, the other thrives through charm and legal protection. Both are misunderstood, both are important—and both deserve a little more credit than they get.
Because it turns out, the most surprising part of this story isn’t the silent “o.” It’s that the opossum—the one often ignored or reviled—is quietly helping protect our neighborhoods, one tick at a time.
These are interesting things, with JC.
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What role does the Virginia opossum play in controlling tick populations?
How does thanatosis help an opossum survive?
Why are Australian possums often legally protected while opossums in the U.S. are considered pests?
Where does the word “opossum” come from, and what does it mean?
Compare and contrast the physical and behavioral traits of the Virginia opossum and the Common Brushtail Possum.
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Estimated Time: 1 class period (45–60 minutes)
Pre-Teaching Vocabulary Strategy:
Use images and short video clips to show physical differences between opossums and possums.
Discuss basic marsupial traits with visuals of other species (e.g., kangaroos, koalas).
Anticipated Misconceptions:
Students may think “possum” and “opossum” are the same animal.
Some may believe opossums commonly carry rabies (they rarely do due to low body temperature).
Discussion Prompts:
Why do you think people often fear or dislike opossums?
How does cultural context shape how animals are treated in different countries?
Can you think of other examples where names or labels cause confusion in science?
Differentiation Strategies:
ESL: Provide vocabulary with phonetic spelling and visuals.
IEP: Allow extra time and provide simplified comparison charts.
Gifted: Encourage deeper research into marsupial evolution or urban wildlife legislation.
Extension Activities:
Create a public awareness flyer or digital campaign correcting common myths about opossums.
Research another misunderstood species and present findings.
Write a short fictional story from the perspective of an opossum or possum.
Cross-Curricular Connections:
Biology: Evolution, adaptation, and ecosystems.
History: Colonial exploration and its influence on language.
Language Arts: Etymology and narrative writing.
Media Literacy: How animals are portrayed in media vs. real life.
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What is the main difference between opossums and possums?
A. One is nocturnal, the other isn’t
B. They live on different continents and are not closely related
C. They have different diets, but are otherwise similar
D. Possums evolved from opossums
Answer: B
What is one reason opossums are unlikely to carry rabies?
A. They are immune
B. They don’t bite
C. Their body temperature is too low for the virus
D. They live in warm climates
Answer: C
What is the meaning of “thanatosis”?
A. A type of fur pattern
B. An evolutionary adaptation in marsupials
C. A defense behavior where an animal plays dead
D. A type of marsupial diet
Answer: C
Where did the word “opossum” originate?
A. Latin
B. Greek
C. Aboriginal Australian
D. Powhatan
Answer: D
What kind of diet does the Brushtail Possum have?
A. Carnivorous
B. Omnivorous
C. Herbivorous
D. Insectivorous
Answer: C
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Explain how cultural perceptions in North America and Australia have led to different treatments of opossums and possums.
Describe how colonial naming practices have contributed to confusion between unrelated species.
3–2–1 Rubric:
3 = Accurate, complete, thoughtful
2 = Partial or missing detail
1 = Inaccurate or vague
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Common Core (CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RST.9-10.4): Determine the meaning of domain-specific words and phrases as they are used in a scientific context.
NGSS (HS-LS4-1): Communicate scientific information that common ancestry and biological evolution are supported by multiple lines of empirical evidence.
C3 Framework (D2.His.1.9-12): Evaluate how historical events and developments were shaped by unique circumstances of time and place.
ISTE Standard 3a: Students plan and employ effective research strategies to locate information and evaluate its accuracy and credibility.
Cambridge IGCSE Biology (0610/21/22): Describe the characteristics of different organisms, classify living things using common features, and understand adaptation.
IB MYP Sciences Criterion D (Reflecting on the Impacts of Science): Apply scientific language and explain implications of scientific developments in real-world contexts.
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This episode explores the surprising divide between two marsupials: the North American opossum and the Australian possum. Through science, history, and cultural storytelling, JC uncovers how a silent “o” hides deeper truths about biology, ecology, and human perception. In the classroom, this episode sparks interdisciplinary conversation about evolution, language, and our often-misguided relationships with wildlife. From misunderstood scavenger to tick-fighting hero, the opossum’s story encourages students to question what they think they know—and to look closer.
Bob Vila. (n.d.). Possum vs. Opossum: What's The Real Difference? Retrieved March 31, 2025, from https://www.bobvila.com/articles/possum-vs-opossum/
