Don't hold to that belief too strongly, Christian. Most of the time, back when writers respected English language roots, they spelled opossum like 'possum, because the "o" was dropped in speech. That's called an 'aphesis.' Look it up.
Both are the same creature. Some folks spell him differently, depending on where they came from! <smile> keith whaley Christian Skofteland wrote: > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Anthony Farr" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > > > > BTW are American opossums marsupials? The possums of Oceania definitely > > are. > > > > regards, > > Anthony Farr > > Yep. Didelphis virginiana (Virginia opossum). note that it is opossum with > an "o" unlike the Aussie possum (no "o"). The Virginia opossum is a true > marsupial with a well developed pouch. It is the only North American > marsupial. There are several in South America, which at one point, was > attached to Australia and floating free in the Pacific ocean until they > separated and S. America joined N. America via Central America. When this > happened, S. American mammals (mostly marsupials) headed north and N. > American mammals (mostly placentals) headed south. In the end, the > placental mammals faired much better in both regions so there are fewer > marsupial in the Americas. (If you believe in that sort of thing, what with > plate tectonics, evolution, etc....) > > Christian
