What is the Difference Between Possum and Raccoon

The main difference between possum and raccoon is that the possum is a tree-dwelling Australasian marsupial that typically has a prehensile tail while raccoon is a greyish-brown American mammal that has a foxtail face with a black mask and a ringed tail.

Possum and raccoon are two types of urbanized mammals. Generally, they are furry pests adapted to various habitats due to their adaptability to find new food sources.

Key Areas Covered 

1. What is a Possum
     – Taxonomy, Characteristics, Behavior
2. What is a Raccoon
     – Taxonomy, Characteristics, Behavior
3. What are the Similarities Between Possum and Raccoon
     – Outline of Common Features
4. What is the Difference Between Possum and Raccoon
     – Comparison of Key Differences

Key Terms 

Fur Color, Marsupial, Placental Mammals, Possum, Raccoon, Tail, Virginia opossum

Possum – Taxonomy, Characteristics, Behavior 

Possum (Phalangeriforme) is an Australian marsupial with four primary colour variations: silver-grey, brown, black or gold. The name ‘possum’ was given due to its resemblance to the North American opossum. Possum belongs to the family Phalangeridae. 

Figure 1: Common Brushtail Possum

Brushtail possums are the commonest type of marsupials in Australia and the most well-known type of possums. They are the size of a cat. They have a long, thick tail with a prehensile tip. Their ears are large and pointed, fur is grey and the bushy tail is black. Moreover, they are solitary, nocturnal creatures, who are adapted to living near humans. Another variety of possum is common ringtail possum. They are also much smaller than Brushtail possums and have curled tail with a white tip. 

Raccoon – Taxonomy, Characteristics, Behavior 

Raccoon (Procyon lotor) or the common raccoon is a medium-sized mammal native to North America. Although the common habitats of a raccoon include deciduous and mixed forests, they range to mountainous areas, coastal marshes, and urban areas due to their adaptability. Raccoons generally have brown and black fur, but cinnamon-coloured coons have also been spotted in South Florida. In addition, raccoons have black fur around their eyes, sharply surrounded by the contrasting white colour of the face. Raccoons also have alternating light and dark rings on the tail. 

Figure 2: Raccoon in California

Furthermore, raccoons do not engage in sex-specific social behaviour. But, their females share a common area while males live together in groups of up to four animals. Also, they breed from February to March, giving birth to 1 to 7 kits in early summer. Hence, their gestation period is around 65 days. Moreover, raccoons are recognizable for their intelligence, being able to remember the solution to tasks for at least three years.

Similarities Between Possum and Raccoon  

• Possom and raccoon are two types of urbanized mammals with a rat-like body.  
• Their body is covered with fur. Additionally, they have human-like hands with five toes that make them capable of grasping a variety of items. 
• Moreover, they are furry pests with the ability to adapt to various environments and food sources.  
• They show a nocturnal behaviour.  
• In addition,  they are omnivores.  
• Both prefer to live near water. 
• Their males are larger than females

Difference Between Possum and Raccoon 

Definition 

Possum is a tree-dwelling Australasian marsupial that typically has a prehensile tail while raccoon is a greyish-brown American mammal that has a foxtail face with a black mask and a ringed tail. 

Family 

While possum belongs to the family Didelphidae, raccoon belongs to the family Procyonidae.

Habitat 

Moreover, possums live in Australia and the Indonesian islands of New Guinea and Sulawes while raccoons live throughout eastern North America. 

Reproduction 

Possums are marsupial mammals, who have pouches and the young ones several months in the pouch after birth, while raccoons are placental mammals, whose fetus is carried in the uterus of its mother to a relatively late stage of development. 

Gestation Period 

The gestation period of possum is around 16 to 18 days while the gestation period of the raccoon is around 63 to 65 days. 

Offspring 

Possum gives birth to one or two offspring per year while raccoon gives birth to 2 to 5 young. 

Lifespan 

Possums live up to 15 years while raccoons live for 2-3 years(in the wild).

Conclusion 

Both possum and raccoon are nocturnal, omnivorous mammals. Possum is a tree-dwelling Australasian marsupial that typically has a prehensile tail while raccoon is a greyish-brown American mammal that has a foxtail face with a black mask and a ringed tail. Thus, there is a difference between possum and raccoon is terms of their origin, physical features, and reproduction. 

References:

1. “Possums – Facts and Photos.” National Geographic, Available here.
2. “Racoon.” National Geographic, Available here.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Brushtail possum” (CC BY 2.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Raccoon climbing in tree – Cropped and color corrected” By David Menke (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia