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Hands down, the best thing that happened to the planet Earth is the array of animals it so lovingly carries. Of course, things would be much better if humans wouldn't interfere with their existence – however, sadly, that's an ongoing matter that will continue being a problem for a while. Still, it's safe to say that without animals, our existence would be much duller – as seeing their adorable faces somewhere on our feed can make our whole day or even week better. 

Nowadays, it makes folks raise their eyebrows if someone says they don't own a pet, or even worse when they are totally not interested in having one. Dogs and cats have replaced children for many families and have been great companions to those who chose to have kids. Though, when there's no possibility of owning a pet for one reason or another, the internet comes to the rescue and does a great job of satisfying your cute-animal "cravings". Bored Panda decided to gather the most adorable pictures of possums and opossums that will undoubtedly brighten your day. 

#1

Possum Tries To Steal Cat’s Food, And Cat’s Reaction Is Priceless

Possum Tries To Steal Cat’s Food, And Cat’s Reaction Is Priceless

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Many confuse possums and opossums, thinking that they're the same animal – however, that's not really the case, as the animals actually live in different countries. Opossums reside in North and South America, whereas possums are native to Australia, Indonesia, New Guinea, New Zealand and lastly China. Even though both animals are marsupials, possums are the lucky ones as they're more closely related to kangaroos (not that it really interferes with their cuteness).

Besides, the word "opossum" is borrowed from a Powhatan language – a language that was spoken by the Virginia Algonquian tribe and in essence meant "white dog or dog-like beast". Later on, a British botanist thought that possums looked fairly similar to opossums, which is why they were given such a similar name.

#2

Australian Veterinary Clinic Rescues A Rare Golden Possum, People Say They Just Caught A Pikachu

Australian Veterinary Clinic Rescues A Rare Golden Possum, People Say They Just Caught A Pikachu

Boronia Veterinary Clinic And Animal Hospital Report

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Hot Babushka
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2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

me: do i want to look at 164 pictures of possums? shouldn't i be productive instead? also me: PIKA-POSSUM

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The animals are both nocturnal and carry their babies in a pouch, though if you look at their tails, opossums have a scaly and nearly hairless tail, whilst possums have a bushy one, almost squirrel-like. Also, possums are herbivores, meaning they are all about the greens, however opossums have a broad diet, as they'll eat anything from fruits, to carrion meat, to cat and dog food that people mistakenly or deliberately leave on their porches.

Now, talking about their famous protective reactions, opossums usually hiss – though when they understand that this particular technique is failing, they'll play dead. In fact, this reaction is not voluntarily and is an instinctive response.

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#3

The Australian Western Pygmy Possum Is Actually One Of The Largest Pygmy Possums In The World Despite Being No Larger Than A Typical Kiwi Fruit

The Australian Western Pygmy Possum Is Actually One Of The Largest Pygmy Possums In The World Despite Being No Larger Than A Typical Kiwi Fruit

Chris Jolly Report

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KJ
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Also known for its hunting abilities, as demonstrated in this picture taken with its latest human victim.

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Moreover, the confusion between the two is very much real – as the word opossum is used for more than 100 different species of marsupials across America, and the word possum is applied for a group of about 67 species found in Australia, New Guinea and Indonesia. American folks often don't realize that the name of the animal living there is opossum, causing this teeny-tiny confusion.

#5

Rare Pygmy Possums Just Got Rediscovered After Fears That Bushfires Wiped Them Out

Rare Pygmy Possums Just Got Rediscovered After Fears That Bushfires Wiped Them Out

Kangaroo Island Land for Wildlife Report

#6

Friends Cat Has Adopted A Baby Possum

Friends Cat Has Adopted A Baby Possum

notnexus Report

Despite all these differences and a few similarities, the animals are extremely cute, though opossums have been known to attack humans. The animals can grow up to a medium dog's size, are lucky owners of sharp claws and also have about 50 teeth that, presumably, are just as sharp. Apart from hissing and entering the catatonic state when encountering some sort of danger, opossums will also secrete a green smelly fluid that will make the "playing dead" seem more believable.

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#7

The Possum That Visits Our Deck Every Evening Brought Along Somebody Special Last Night! Meet Deckster And Backster

The Possum That Visits Our Deck Every Evening Brought Along Somebody Special Last Night! Meet Deckster And Backster

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#8

So A Family Of Opossums Walked Out In Front Of Me

So A Family Of Opossums Walked Out In Front Of Me

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Essentially saying, the animals have a great and well-thought plan of potentially saving themselves when something goes south. Moreover, even though the creatures have a bit of a reputation, they can absolutely do some good for your garden by eating all the unwanted and venomous pests – so if you see one in your neighborhood, maybe think about leaving it alone.

#9

When Your Possum Demands And Finally Gets A Bed In Your Dresser

When Your Possum Demands And Finally Gets A Bed In Your Dresser

juniperfoxx Report

Essentially saying, the animals have a great and well-thought plan of potentially saving themselves when something goes south. Moreover, even though the creatures have a bit of a reputation, they can absolutely do some good for your garden by eating all the unwanted and venomous pests – so if you see one in your neighborhood, maybe think about leaving it alone.

#10

A Possum, Skunk, And Raccoon All Having Dinner Together! Apparently, There Was A Fox At One Point As Well! My Colleague's Sister Took This Photo From Her Back Yard

A Possum, Skunk, And Raccoon All Having Dinner Together! Apparently, There Was A Fox At One Point As Well! My Colleague's Sister Took This Photo From Her Back Yard

PlasmaReuse Report

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#12

I Met A Woman With A Possum And A Beautifully Sincere Smile

I Met A Woman With A Possum And A Beautifully Sincere Smile

ladypugsworth Report

Turns out, the animals are not only adorable but are often misjudged by us, when they're actually quite helpful to the environment. Let us know if you've already happened to befriend your local possum or opossum. And now that you know about their benefits, next time you see it sticking out of your trash can, maybe give it some dog food for being so great.

#13

My Step Dad Stumbled Across This Little Guy While Hunting

My Step Dad Stumbled Across This Little Guy While Hunting

Sretlaw Report

#14

An Opossum Got Into My Buddy's House And He Snapped A Selfie With It While He Was Carrying It Out

An Opossum Got Into My Buddy's House And He Snapped A Selfie With It While He Was Carrying It Out

reddit.com Report

#16

Baby Possum Got Into Our House Last Night. This Is How We Found It This Morning

Baby Possum Got Into Our House Last Night. This Is How We Found It This Morning

MAStalone Report

#19

Little Opie From The Rehab Center I Work At

Little Opie From The Rehab Center I Work At

_Conservative_Hippy_ Report

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#20

I See Your Shoulder Cats, Is It Too Late For A Shoulder Baby Opossum?

I See Your Shoulder Cats, Is It Too Late For A Shoulder Baby Opossum?

allyboo1620 Report

#21

Possum Trashes Woman’s Office In Australia, Becomes A Meme

Possum Trashes Woman’s Office In Australia, Becomes A Meme

FF_notes Report

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Rissie
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Trashes? Pretty sure that's all her doing and he's just being all innocent.

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#22

Owner Finds A Baby Possum Clinging On To Her Dog’s Back

Owner Finds A Baby Possum Clinging On To Her Dog’s Back

Sally Watkinson Report

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Jo Choto
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Breaks my heart when they lose their mama and just cling to any warm body.

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#23

Mushroom The Possum

Mushroom The Possum

juniperfoxx Report

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Hooked
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

O.M.G. I just died off cuteness overload. Well, at least the last thing my eyes saw was this...this......aaaaaand I died again

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#24

Missing My Field Site And All Its Amazing Critters

Missing My Field Site And All Its Amazing Critters

Amanda McLean Report

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Connie Hirsch
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This has been a meme piicture with a caption like "All Australian animals WANT to kill you..but some of them can't."

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#25

This Rescue Opossum My Mom Met At A Nature Center

This Rescue Opossum My Mom Met At A Nature Center

MojitoJesus Report

#26

Volunteering As A Wildlife Rescue Rehabilitator Is Often Hard And Heartbreaking Work. But Having Tiny Babies Fall Asleep In Your Hands Makes It All Worth It

Volunteering As A Wildlife Rescue Rehabilitator Is Often Hard And Heartbreaking Work. But Having Tiny Babies Fall Asleep In Your Hands Makes It All Worth It

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#27

Cute Baby Opossum I Found In My House

Cute Baby Opossum I Found In My House

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#30

Clementine, Reminding Everyone That All Animals Love, And Love To Be Loved! (Rescued Virginia Opossum)

Clementine, Reminding Everyone That All Animals Love, And Love To Be Loved! (Rescued Virginia Opossum)

Retired_Young Report

#32

Ready For A Slumber Party

Ready For A Slumber Party

itsmesesame Report

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A B C
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"may I have the corner spot on the sofa? I brought my own blanket!" - that cutie, probably

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#33

This Is Hank. Hank Lives In My Aunt’s Garage He’s Very Old And Has A Hard Time Walking So She Set Up A Warm Place For Him To Rest And Feeds Him Lots Of Treats

This Is Hank. Hank Lives In My Aunt’s Garage He’s Very Old And Has A Hard Time Walking So She Set Up A Warm Place For Him To Rest And Feeds Him Lots Of Treats

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#35

A Local Brisbane Brushtail Possum That Stops By My Window Every Now And Then

A Local Brisbane Brushtail Possum That Stops By My Window Every Now And Then

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#36

My Friends And I Saved A Baby Ring Tail Possum! Here's Her With The Vet

My Friends And I Saved A Baby Ring Tail Possum! Here's Her With The Vet

Coragiran Report

#37

A Rescued Baby Possum Thinks My German Shepherd Is Its Mom

A Rescued Baby Possum Thinks My German Shepherd Is Its Mom

combatpaddler Report

#38

Rescued Baby Opossum

Rescued Baby Opossum

I rescued this baby opossum found in our parking lot yesterday. With the lid of the box closed we could hear her running around but whenever I opened the lid she would play dead. Here she is playing dead with a piece of food in her mouth.

Im_The_One Report

#39

Starry & Daff Moments To Warm Our Hearts

Starry & Daff Moments To Warm Our Hearts

itsmesesame Report

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Marion
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Poor baby has lost his tail! Hope it wasnt some cruel human… (wouldn’t surprise me)

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#40

A Racoon, A Opossum And A Stray Cat Enjoying A Peaceful Meal

A Racoon, A Opossum And A Stray Cat Enjoying A Peaceful Meal

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#41

I Think That He Likes The Legos

I Think That He Likes The Legos

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#42

Found A Baby Opossum In My Recycling Bin This Morning

Found A Baby Opossum In My Recycling Bin This Morning

LovingMap Report

#44

I Had An Opossum Visit My House So I Asked If They Were Friendly Or Not In This Facebook Group I'm In. An Animal Rescue Company Replied With This Photo. His Name Is Bobo

I Had An Opossum Visit My House So I Asked If They Were Friendly Or Not In This Facebook Group I'm In. An Animal Rescue Company Replied With This Photo. His Name Is Bobo

Carl_Gordon_Jenkins Report

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MAL
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Friendly and they eat all kinds of bugs for us!

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Lee
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

They are also immune to rabies. Both getting and passing it. That being said, if you're not by one you should still go to the doctor in case of infection.

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C C
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

are you insane. did you actually throw that poor opossum up in the air. what an a*****e!

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Faith Nicole
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The smile on that little guys face getting tossed up in the air 😍

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#45

This Heck Of A Thing Hanging From Your Kitchen Window Screen At 2 In The Morning

This Heck Of A Thing Hanging From Your Kitchen Window Screen At 2 In The Morning

LookingOutAtTheDoomedEarthSheBreathedaSighAsEverythingHadBecome Report

#47

Bailey, Our Golden Brushtail Possum

Bailey, Our Golden Brushtail Possum

WILD LIFE Sydney Zoo Report

#48

Gloria The Possum

Gloria The Possum

Meet Gloria. Gloria was shaking. She was terrified. And her 7, 8, 9(?) babies clung to her back and neck with all their strength. Thing is, as a nocturnal animal, Gloria shouldn’t be out during daylight. The fact that she was out in the open at 6:45AM carrying her entire family on her back means something went terribly wrong. This poor baby and her babies must have lost their safe home, and she was looking for safety... Or help. We called a vet, they recommended we call Malibu wildlife rescue. Malibu recommended we leave Gloria as-is, as long as she didn’t look injured (which she didn’t).

vohit4rohit Report

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#50

A Rescued Baby Ringtail Possum Warming Up In Front Of A Car Heater

A Rescued Baby Ringtail Possum Warming Up In Front Of A Car Heater

unnaturalorder Report

Note: this post originally had 164 images. It’s been shortened to the top 50 images based on user votes.