There are a number of marsupials in New Guinea and Tasmania, as well as in Australia.
In addition, the Americas are home to two marsupial orders: the opossums and the caenolestes.
Opossums are found throughout the United States and Canada. They are best known for their practices of hanging upside down from trees and freezing and “playing dead” when threatened.
Some might argue, though, that they’re best known for the mess they make of people’s garbage cans in residential areas.
Caenolestes are found in South America and are commonly called “shrew opossums.”
They have elongated heads and tiny eyes that don’t see well. They mostly live in densely forested areas on the ground, but can climb well when necessary.
