opossum

• Substantivo que designa um marsupial arborícola noturno de hábitos solitários, com pelagem densa e cauda preênsil; na América do Norte e do Sul, refere-se ao gambá, e na Austrália, a um pequeno marsupial arborícola também chamado de possum.

A noun referring to either a small, furry, arboreal marsupial native to Australia, typically with a long prehensile tail, or a nocturnal, arboreal marsupial with a naked prehensile tail found from southern North America to northern South America.

1. Australian marsupialB1formalaustralian

   A small, furry, tree-dwelling marsupial native to Australia and nearby islands, typically with a long, prehensile tail.

   Cuíca-australiana

   • The opossum climbed the eucalyptus tree using its tail for balance.
   • Australian opossums are often seen in suburban gardens at night.
   • The ringtail opossum is one of the most common species in Australia.

   Sinônimospossum

2. American marsupialB1formalamerican

   A nocturnal, tree-dwelling marsupial found from southern North America to northern South America, known for its naked, prehensile tail and playing dead when threatened.

   Gambá americano

   • The Virginia opossum is the only marsupial native to North America.
   • When scared, the opossum will 'play possum' and lie still.
   • Opossums are beneficial to gardens because they eat ticks and insects.

   Sinônimospossum