Food
Omnivore
Opossums eat insects, fruit, eggs and small animals.
Eats plants and animals
HomeAnimals A–ZLetter OOpossum
Opossum Facts for Kids: O Is for Opossum
The opossum is the only animal with a pouch that lives in the US and Canada. When it is scared, it may play dead to trick a predator. Here are easy opossum facts for kids: what opossums eat, how big they grow, what a baby opossum is called and where opossums live. Read them out loud, try the quiz, then color the letter O.
Mammaltype
Omnivorediet
Joeybaby name
Fun facts
Fun Facts About Opossums
Two more true facts about the opossum that kids love. Tap the button to hear the name, then read each fact together.
Oo
Say “Opossum”
Opossum starts with the letter O. Clap once for each part of the word as you say it.
1
Did you know?
Opossums play dead when scared.
2
One more fact
They are the only marsupials in North America.
Act it outMove like an opossum for ten seconds.
Spot the letterFind the letter O in “Opossum”.
Ask a questionWhat would an opossum eat for breakfast?
Quick facts
Opossum Facts at a Glance
Everything a curious kid wants to know about the opossum, in eight short cards.
Size
How big?
An opossum is about 60 to 85 cm long with the tail.
Body sizeLife
How long?
Opossums live for about 2 to 4 years.
LifespanBaby
Joey
A baby opossum is called a joey.
Baby nameGroup
Passel
A group of opossums is called a passel.
Group nameHabitat
Forests
Opossums are found in North and South America.
Where they liveAnimal type
Mammal
The opossum is the only animal with a pouch that lives in the US and Canada. When it is scared, it may play dead to trick a predator.
Opossum is a mammalLetter
O is for opossum
Opossum has 7 letters and starts with O.
Say: Opossum
Quick quiz
Opossum Quiz for Kids
A tiny game to check what stuck. Read the question out loud and let your little one tap the answer.
Question 1
Score: 0
Free download
Free printable
Opossum Coloring Page: Letter O Worksheet
Done reading about the opossum? Print the free letter O sheet, say “O is for opossum” together and color the big letters. Great for circle time, morning work or a quiet afternoon at home.
1
Download the PDFOne click, no sign-up or email
2
Print at home or schoolFits US Letter and A4 paper
3
Color and traceBig letters and dotted tracing lines
Uppercase OLowercase oTracing practiceFind the O animals
Download Free PDF
3 pages, black & white
Questions
All FAQs
Opossum Questions Kids Ask
Opossums eat insects, fruit, eggs and small animals. That makes the opossum an omnivore, which means it is an animal that eats plants and animals.
An opossum is about 60 to 85 cm long with the tail.
Opossums live for about 2 to 4 years.
A baby opossum is called a joey.
A group of opossums is called a passel.
Opossums live in North and South America. Their favorite habitat is: forests.
Yes. The opossum is a mammal. The opossum is the only animal with a pouch that lives in the US and Canada. When it is scared, it may play dead to trick a predator.
Opossum starts with the letter O. Say it slowly and listen for the O sound at the start.
Keep exploring
All O animals
More Animals Like the Opossum
Other O animals and more mammals to read about next.
Mollusk
An octopus has eight arms covered in suckers that can grab and even taste. It has three hearts and blue blood!
Lives in: Ocean Read octopus factsBird
Owls can turn their heads much farther than we can, about three-quarters of the way around. Their soft feathers let them fly almost silently.
Lives in: Forests Read owl factsMammal
Indris are the biggest lemurs and live only on the island of Madagascar. They sing loud songs that carry far through the forest.
Lives in: Rainforests Read indri factsMammal
Donkeys are strong and can carry heavy loads. Their loud call is called a bray and sounds like “hee-haw”.
Lives in: Farms Read donkey facts