are they possums? they're very qute
We have possums here but not like that - not that long snout, and their hair is much tougher - I hit one with the car the other night, stunned it, but it was OK - took off eventually, though I did worry if there had been some internal damage.
xero used to bring them up as pets - they'd run up your leg as you dashed from one room to another... sharp claws you know.
The Aussie possum is defiantly a marsupial. We have several species ( About 11 or so with 4 or 5 subspecies I would a guess off the top of my head.) I would look it up but I loaned my books out to an interesting chap who is a cat and fox eradicator...but that's another story. - Though I did see him today after nearly two years. Gee, I should have asked him for my books. Always an awkward moment. (...when it isn't said)
Anyway,
The Virginia opossum (it is said) migrated up North America from South America fairly recently I understand. In the last few of thousand years. But before that...way back some 60 million years (it is said) the super southern continent Gondwanna split, eventually leaving Australia to evolve as a land raft for a wierd bunch of ancient and unique animals. For some reason, marsupial became the successful mammal group. The American possum is a distant relative to these. (and those still found in Sth. America)
They make wonderful companions around the garden. Though the males can get a bit chewy on your toes and ears as they get to that passionate age. And as Michael says, the weight of a full grown possum climbing your leg with those claws ......
