I just discovered another animal I want-the Australian Opossum!

[audiolady]

I didn't know they existed outside of America! And the ones in Australia mostly use scent to scare off predators, while here they play dead. All possums are welcome in MY zoo.

[SLG]

Why did you not create one wishlist topic then edit it when you have more?

[Firestar]

What's the Species Name? Can't find anything about it and it's also new to me that there are Opossums outside of America

[audiolady]

Didn't think bout 1 list. Forehead smack.
https://a-z-animals.com/blog/australian-possum-vs-american-opossum/

[grampers62]

Would it not be cool if we had one DLC that was new/undiscoverd species? Species that are so new/rare that there aren't any in captivity!

[Just Kevin]

It's a myth that possums play dead, BTW. But there are 10,000s of species not in PZ. But what's really missing is flying birds.

[audiolady]

Yes, opossums are known for “playing dead,” a behavior called thanatosis. When threatened, they can fall into an involuntary state that mimics death. During this state, they become stiff, their breathing slows, and they may even emit a foul odor to deter predators. This behavior can last from a few minutes to several hours, depending on the situation.

Have you ever seen an opossum play dead? 🦔
Pretty sure my Dad's seen it happen, and a hog nosed snake, too. They both play dead.

[Firestar]

As I've mentioned before my Question was deleted for no Reason under the Claim that it is somehow respectless, why do you claim Stuff about Opossums in Australia when you mean Possums instead?

[audiolady]

Sorry. Being American, the terms are interchangeable.

[Just Kevin]

What's an O between friends?

[Just Kevin]

The last and recently made nature documentary I saw said it's a myth they play dead. And no, we don't get any in the UK. I see badgers, hedgehogs and foxes at the side of roads, but they are dead.

[grampers62]

Indeed the names opossum and possum are used interchangeably. The terms would tend to differ in different regions but are both correct.

[Firestar]

Originally posted by grampers62:

Indeed the names opossum and possum are used interchangeably. The terms would tend to differ in different regions but are both correct.

No, even though some weird People tend to call Opossums, Possums, I`ve never heard of a single Person that calls Possums, Opossums and it`s also just wrong

[audiolady]

In this part of Missouri, we just say possums. Easier to say. I know some people would be offended by being called "weird", but I'm not one of them! I say normalcy is overrated.

[grampers62]

Let me cite my information...
https://www.merriam-webster.com/wordplay/possum-vs-opossum-difference-pronunciation
The article explains about the naming conventions and history of the name(s). It also goes on to clarify the Australian possum isn't a possum.

[audiolady]

That explains why they look different from the ones I see here! But still just as cute, and I would LOVE to see them as a habitat species! Du. Want.