Phalangeriformes is a paraphyletic suborder of about 70 species of small to medium-sized arboreal marsupials native to Australia, New Guinea, and Sulawesi. The species are commonly known as possums, gliders, and cuscus. The common name "possum" for various Phalangeriformes species derives from the creatures' resemblance to the opossums of the Americas (the term comes from Powhatan language aposoum "white animal", from Proto-Algonquian "white dog"). However, although opossums are also marsupials, Australasian possums are more closely related to other Australasian marsupials such as kangaroos. Learn more about Possum
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Possum Species Videos
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Common Name | Scientific Name | Conservation Status |
Common Brushtail Possum (26 videos) | Trichosurus vulpecula | Least concern |
Common Ringtail (36 videos) | Pseudocheirus peregrinus | Least concern |
Common Spotted Cuscus (5 videos) | Spilocuscus maculatus | Least concern |
Ebony Glider (19 videos) | Petaurus gracilis | Endangered |
Greater Glider (30 videos) | Petauroides volans | Vulnerable |
Sugar Glider (56 videos) | Petaurus breviceps | Least concern |
Yellow-bellied Glider (59 videos) | Petaurus australis | Near threatened |