Pronunciation: [pˈɒsəm] (IPA) 
The spelling of the word "possum" can be confusing because of its silent letter. In IPA phonetic transcription, it is spelled /ˈpɒsəm/. The first syllable is pronounced with the short "o" sound as in "hot". The second syllable, although spelled with a double "s", is pronounced with just one "s" as "uhm". So, the proper way to spell this word is "possum", not "opossum" as some might assume the silent "o" should be pronounced.
Possum, short for opossum, refers to a small to medium-sized marsupial mammal found primarily in the Americas. An opossum belongs to the family Didelphidae and is known for its distinctive appearance, behavior, and adaptation to its environment.
Physically, a possum has a flexible body covered in fur that can vary in color depending on the species, ranging from gray to brown. It possesses a long, hairless prehensile tail that is used as a gripping tool and for balance. The most notable feature of a possum is its head, known for its pointed snout, sharp teeth, and rounded ears. Additionally, a possum's feet have opposable thumbs on their hind limbs, allowing them to grip branches and climb trees with ease.
Possums are primarily nocturnal animals, meaning they are most active during the night. They are omnivorous creatures, feeding on a wide range of food sources including insects, fruits, small animals, and even carrion. Due to their scavenging nature, possums play an essential role in the ecosystem by aiding in the removal of decaying matter and controlling pest populations.
When threatened or in danger, possums possess a unique defense mechanism - they play dead, hence the phrase "playing possum." They lie motionless, often with their tongue hanging out, giving the impression of being lifeless. This behavior helps deter potential predators while allowing the possum to survive unharmed.
Overall, the possum is an interesting and adaptable creature, renowned for its distinct physical characteristics, nocturnal habits, omnivorous diet, and survival strategies.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "possum" is derived from the term "opossum", which comes from the Virginia Algonquian language. The Algonquian word "apasum" means "white animal". Early English settlers in America adopted the term and eventually shortened it to "possum". It is important to note that the term "possum" commonly refers to the marsupial species found in Australia, while "opossum" generally refers to the marsupials found in the Americas.
