opposus

Opposus refers to a group of marsupials belonging to the order Didelphimorphia. The most commonly known species, and often referred to simply as the "opossum," is the Virginia opossum (Didelphis virginiana), native to North and Central America. Opossums are renowned for their unique defense mechanism of "playing dead," a state of tonic immobility that can deter predators. They are opportunistic omnivores, feeding on a varied diet that includes insects, small animals, fruits, and carrion. Their physical characteristics typically include a pointed snout, a prehensile tail, and a pouch (marsupium) in females where their young, known as joeys, complete their development after birth. Opossums are generally solitary and nocturnal, inhabiting a range of environments from forests to urban areas. There are numerous species of opossums found throughout the Americas, each with its own specific adaptations and geographical distribution. Their role in ecosystems often involves controlling insect populations and scavenging.