What is the difference between a possum and an opposum? ?

Question

I keep mixing them up since their names are similar - help?

Answer 1

O, that is the difference.

Sorry, seriously check these:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Possum

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Opposum

Answer 2

None. They are both the same animal.

No difference - just two words for the same animal

http://www.americazoo.com/kids/opossum.h...

Answer 3

The opossum refers, I believe, to the Virginia opossum. That's the one that lives in North America. The possum refers to most other species of possum. Especially around Australia/New Zealand. Both are marsupials, but they're pretty different as far as looks go.

Answer 4

The difference is in spelling. I think opposum is the incorrect way of spelling opossum, which is the same creature as the possum.  

Answer 5

There is no difference.

Answer 6

The difference is the species, possums are native to Australia and New Guinea and Sulawesi.  They were also introduced into New Zealand.   Opposums are found in the Americas.