The opossum is an animal that lives exclusively in America. It is called this way particularly in Mexico, in other countries it is known, among other names, as possum. The opossum belongs to a very varied group, so there are different species, some having a greater distribution than others; and there are even some examples of endemism.
In this article on our site we will explain what is an opossum, what is its taxonomic classification, its main characteristics and the legend that surrounds it, so we invite you to continue reading so that you know some interesting facts about it.
What animal is an opossum?
The opossum is a mammalian animal and is one of the types of marsupialsthat inhabit the new world. Depending on the country it is known by one name or another, thus, in Mexico it is called opossum, while in other countries such as Argentina, Costa Rica, Colombia, Nicaragua, Panama and Venezuela as opossum. Even within these last countries, other names are also used to name this peculiar animal.
Since "opossum" is the name it receives in Mexico, we name the most common species in this country:
- Virginia opossum (Didelphis virginiana)
- Opossum or common opossum (Didelphis marsupialis)
However, the only species found in northern Mexico is D. virginiana, which manages to extend to southern Canada, so the opossum refers more to this particular species. In fact, it is sometimes called a Mexican opossum.
Characteristics of the opossum
Now that you know that the opossum is a mammal belonging to the marsupial group, let's see the most characteristic features that can help us identify it. Thus, among the general characteristics of the opossum, we can mention the following:
- Depending on the species, it may have more terrestrial, arboreal or semi-aquatic habits. However, the opossum or Virginia opossum, although it often develops on the ground, is an excellent climber and even builds its burrow in the trees.
- At birth, weigh about 10 grams and as adults they can reach approximately 2 kg
- The head is elongated with a prominent snout.
- The fur is not very abundant and varies from dark colors to grey, brown or light yellow.
- In various species the tail is prehensile, devoid of hairs and very useful for climbing.
- The females of large species have the typical marsupial pouch, while those of smaller sizes have folds near the mammary glands. Without a doubt, a very curious fact about the opossum as a species.
- Females can have from 4 to about 27 mammary glands.
- Their limbs are short and have five fingers on each of the legs.
- The most developed sense is smell, to a lesser extent sight and hearing, although they do not have the levels of other mammals.
- The feeding is fundamentally omnivorous, in fact, becomes quite opportunistic depending on the habitat where it is found.
To better see the physical characteristics, in the image we can see the Virginia opossum which, remember, is the most common in Mexico.
Opossum classification
The general taxonomic classification of the opossum as a species is as follows:
- Animal Kingdom
- Phylum: chordates
- Class: mammals
- Order: didelphimorphia
- Family: didelphidae
On the other hand, if we were referring specifically to the Virginia opossum, it would be the following:
- Animal Kingdom
- Phylum: chordates
- Class: mammals
- Order: didelphimorphia
- Family: didelphidae
- Subfamily: didelphinae
- Species: Didelphis virginiana
- Subspecies: D. v. californica, D. v. pigra, D. v. Virginiana, D. v. yucatanensis
Meet all the Types of opossum or opossum in this other post.
Legend of the opossum in Mexico
In Mexico, the opossum has an important legendary meaning that is part of popular culture in some areas of the region. In principle, we can mention that the name comes from the Nahuatl language, but what is the meaning of opossum ? Originally it was "tlacuatzin", where "tla" means "fire"; "cua" is "to eat" and "tzin" translates as "boy". In this sense, the meaning refers to "small fire-eater " [1]
There is no single version of the legend of the mythical opossum, in fact, there are several that have given rise to various writings on the matter. However, in general, these stories tell that this peculiar animal has been very important for humanity, since was a traveler characterized by being wise and cheerful, being the in charge of delivering the source of fire to the humans Let's see what this story is like next.
The legend of the opossum and the fire
A summary of one of the most popular opossum stories tells that humanity did not know fire and everything was eaten raw, besides They suffered from the cold at night. But one day, from some star, fire fell on earth and began to generate a fire, which was taken by some giants and they kept it for themselves. they. To keep it always burning, they divided this responsibility and used trees that they cut so that the fire would not go out.
But these giants did not want to share their treasure, so they formed an army led by a tiger to prevent humans and animals from stealing the fire, there were even fights where many died in vain without taking the calls.
In a cave a deer, an armadillo and an opossum were gathered, who decided to find a way to steal fire and share it with people, however, they had doubts about how to do it. Then, the opossum said that he promised to bring the fire to the villagers. Although the little animal was mocked and there was skepticism, the reckless animal went to fulfill its mission.
When he was near where the giants kept the fire, he curled up into a ball and spent seven days without moving, so who guarding the place got used to seeing it and paid no attention to it. Thus, the opossum learned the hours of rest of the guards and, on the seventh day, at a time when only the tiger was not sleeping, he approached the bonfire and stole an emberand then run away.
When the tiger realized what was happening, he chased the opossum and managed to catch up with him, so he hurt him, threw him thinking he was dead and walked away. But the invincible opossum rolled full of blood and with the fire lit and was able to reach the place where the people and animals were waiting for him. He untangled his tail and handed over a burning emberso they could start a fire, which lasted forever
This is the popular reading of the opossum and the fire that, although it is fictional, does have certain aspects that are real. And it is that the opossum is really one of those animals that can play dead, entering a state of tonic immobility that can last even several hours, which is known as "thanatosis". All this, without a doubt, makes the opossum a very particular animal.
Now that you know what an opossum is and its legend, don't stop learning and browse through these articles:
- What does the opossum eat?
- Where does the opossum live and what does it need to live?
