Pronunciation: [flˈa͡ɪɪŋ əpˈɒsəm] (IPA) 
The spelling of the phrase "flying opossum" can be broken down using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA). "Flying" is spelled /ˈflaɪɪŋ/ with a long "i" sound (/aɪ/), while "opossum" is spelled /əˈpɒsəm/ with a schwa sound (/ə/) and "possum" spelled with a double "s". A "flying opossum" is a type of marsupial that can glide through the air using a special membrane of skin attached to its limbs.
A flying opossum, scientifically known as Petauridae, is a small to medium-sized arboreal marsupial mammal native to Australia, New Guinea, and Indonesia. It is characterized by its unique gliding ability achieved through a flaps of skin called patagia that stretch from its forelimbs to its hindlimbs, allowing it to glide effortlessly through the air when leaping from tree to tree.
The flying opossum typically has a slender body, soft fur, and a prehensile tail, which assists in its arboreal lifestyle. It possesses sharp claws that aid in climbing trees and gripping surfaces. With a length ranging from 15 to 60 centimeters, including its long tail, it exhibits a range of physical variations depending on the species and subspecies.
Furthermore, its diet primarily consists of fruits, nectar, insects, small vertebrates, and tree sap. The flying opossum is typically nocturnal, using its acute hearing and well-developed sense of smell to locate food and predators. It constructs nests in tree hollows or constructs shelters using leaves and branches.
The term "flying opossum" also refers to the ability of certain species within the marsupial family Didelphidae, native to Central and South America, to glide in a similar manner. These arboreal mammals are equipped with patagia that extend from their ankles to their fingertips, enabling them to glide adeptly through forest canopies. Flying opossums, also known as sugar gliders or petaurids, are characterized by their nocturnal nature, omnivorous diet, and unique gliding adaptation.
The term "flying opossum" does not have a distinct etymology as it is not a formally recognized name for any particular species. Instead, it's a combination of two separate terms: "flying" and "opossum".
"Flying" in this context refers to the ability of certain mammals to glide through the air using specialized adaptations. It is derived from the verb "fly", which dates back to Old English and is rooted in Old High German and Old Norse as well.
"Opossum" comes from the Algonquian language family, specifically from the Powhatan word "apassum", which translates to "white animal". The term was later anglicized to "opossum" and was first recorded in English in the early 17th century.
