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Is it Possum or Opossum?

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Spacemom Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Nov-02-08 04:37 PM
Original message
Is it Possum or Opossum?
Either way, they're mean!! This one tried to crawl into the house through the dryer vent last night!
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pokerfan Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Nov-02-08 04:53 PM
Response to Original message
1. possums
are native to Australia, New Guinea, etc. Opossums are the new world relative.

But yeah, they have a temper.
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Spacemom Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Nov-02-08 06:53 PM
Response to Reply #1
8. This one seriously scared me
when I would walk by the cage, it would follow me with it's eyes. I think it wanted to rip out my throat and drink my blood. But that may be my overactive imagination. :scared:
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pokerfan Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Nov-02-08 08:08 PM
Response to Reply #8
11. Well, he is in a cage
All animals will fight when cornered (I've seen mice do it) and a cage is pretty much the ultimate corner.
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hippywife Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Nov-02-08 08:26 PM
Response to Reply #11
13. Reminds me of this...
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Orrex Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Nov-02-08 06:17 PM
Response to Original message
2. Opossums (opossa?) are Irish
Sure and begorrah.
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Spacemom Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Nov-02-08 06:53 PM
Response to Reply #2
9. This one was definately Texan
big, mean and pissed off. :rofl:
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Oddball Donating Member (205 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Nov-02-08 06:58 PM
Response to Reply #2
10. Beat me to it....
:applause:
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timtom Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Nov-02-08 06:37 PM
Response to Original message
3. But, seriously, folks...
Possum is a contracted form of opossum.
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insanity Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Nov-02-08 06:40 PM
Response to Original message
4. Tasty
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trof Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Nov-02-08 06:49 PM
Response to Reply #4
7. with roasted sweet taters
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old mark Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Nov-02-08 06:41 PM
Response to Original message
5. I have seen the word written both ways - I believe the "O" version is correct -
but I have never heard anyone pronounce the O.

They are nasty animals and will bite hell out of you given the chance.
Their eyes are very reflective and shine bright yellow at night - you can see them glowing as you drive in the country.
mark
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TZ Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Nov-02-08 06:44 PM
Response to Original message
6. Ah yes the angry hissing Opossum
I've seen that. And boy do they have sharp looking teeth! We had one that hung around my house for awhile..I kept my distance--although one night it came up to our sliding glass door and peered inside without any apparant fear...
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carlyhippy Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Nov-02-08 08:25 PM
Response to Original message
12. possum...he would be cute if he didn't have that mad look on his face
Carly
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OrwellwasRight Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Sun Nov-02-08 08:28 PM
Response to Original message
14. Spacemom, check out this website.
And the cute little video.

Apparently the hissing and showing of teeth is primarily for show. And opossum is the correct name for the American species, but it is so often abbreviated to just possum that possum is also considered correct (I guess like until and till).

http://opossum.craton.net/
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