🦝Raccoon vs Possum🐾
Raccoons and possums both visit yards after dark, but they are very different animals. One is a clever mammal, the other a marsupial.
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🦝Raccoon
- ✓Highly intelligent and dexterous paws
- ✓Famous black 'bandit' face mask
- ✓Skilled at opening latches and lids
- ✓Curious, bold and adaptable forager
🐾Possum
- ✓North America's only native marsupial
- ✓'Plays dead' to deter predators
- ✓Eats huge numbers of ticks and pests
- ✓Largely calm and non-aggressive
Verdict
The raccoon is the clever, mischievous bandit; the possum is the calm, pest-eating marsupial. Both thrive near humans but behave very differently.
Frequently asked
Are raccoons and possums related?+
No. Raccoons are placental mammals, while the Virginia opossum is a marsupial.
Do possums really play dead?+
Yes, when very threatened a possum can involuntarily collapse and appear lifeless.
Which is more of a nuisance?+
Raccoons cause more trouble, raiding bins and homes; possums often help by eating pests.
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