Quit playing possum—there's no need to hide from these absolutely adorable possum pictures!
O, the cuteness
With their big eyes, short fur and pointed ears, there’s certainly more than meets the eye when it comes to these furry creatures. We’re convinced that after you’ve seen this collection of cute opossum photos, you’ll start singing their praises too.
But first, a word about semantics. Scientifically speaking, possums are marsupials native to Australia, while the opossum is found in North America. Merriam-Webster advises that it’s A-okay to use the terms interchangeably in conversation. Whichever name they’re called by, you may find that these large marsupials are surprisingly … kind of cute. Keeping reading, and prepare to be awwwed.
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1/25
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Just hanging out
We love a funny animal photo. This baby possum, swinging from a branch by its tail, is just dropping in to say “hello!” Did you know that opossums need a lot of exercise?
2/25
Stan Tekiela Author/Getty Images
Three’s a cute crowd
These three baby possums were captured hanging out on the end of a tree branch. Did you know that opossums have a high growth rate and produce many offspring? Unfortunately, many fail to survive to adulthood, as they have weak immune systems and are susceptible to disease.
3/25
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Hide and seek in the snow
This little possum is seen peeking up from its hole. Opossums have adapted to various climates, including areas that get extremely cold in winter. While they are generally not equipped for extreme cold, they have evolved with behavioral and physical adaptations to survive in colder environments.
4/25
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Possum to go
We’ll take one cute possum to go, please! This little guy in a cardboard box is ready for express mail.
5/25
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Snack time
If you enjoy looking at cute sloth pictures, you’ll go wild over this photo of a mountain possum caught taking a snack break while munching on an apple in a park in Queensland, Australia.
6/25
Barbara Fischer, Australia./Getty Images
Lights out
Did you know that most possums, including this brushtail possum, are nocturnal? This little guy was spotted in the photographer’s backyard in Carrum, Australia.
7/25
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Little possum, big world
This baby possum is seen balancing on its caretaker’s hand. Aren’t baby possum pictures the best? However, while this little guy looks friendly, opossums are generally not known to be affectionate toward humans.
8/25
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All in the family
All aboard! This mother possum takes her babies for a ride, family-style. Did you know that an average opossum litter contains eight to nine babies and can have as many as 20?
9/25
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Babies R Us
I mean, just look at that little face—and those big ears! How old do you think this baby is? Fun fact: When possums are born, they remain in their mother’s pouch for about two-and-a-half months. At around 55 to 70 days, their eyes finally open.
10/25
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Fuzzy buddy
If you look from a distance, this picture of a Virginia opossum foraging for food in the grass almost looks like a sheep grazing in a meadow because of its fuzzy fur.
11/25
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Life’s a playground …
… and this baby possum picture shows a little buddy just playing on a branch. Watch as it does the world’s cutest pull-up.
12/25
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Chillin’ on a fence
This young North American possum is taking a breather atop a fence.
13/25
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We are family
Another adorable possum family, another bundle of cuteness. We can’t get enough. But are opossums cuddly? While they definitely get attached to their mother, don’t try to cuddle one yourself—they are incredibly wary of humans.
14/25
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Upside down
While at first glance you may think this is a bat taking its signature upside-down snooze in this possum picture, take another look and you’ll realize that it’s a baby possum hanging out on a branch.
15/25
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Show me your teeth!
We can never get enough cute baby animal pictures, like this one of a cute opossum opening its mouth wide to show us its pearly whites.
16/25
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Sibling love
These cute possums are seen playing together on a rock. Baby opossums are weaned at around three months of age and are on their own by five months, when they are approximately 7 to 9 inches long from nose to rump, excluding the tail.
17/25
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Kicking back
Possums know how to chill too! This possum kicks back on the couch. Can we join?
18/25
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Snowy possum
Polar bears aren’t the only cute animals that play in the cold. This Virginia possum was captured playing in the crisp snow.
19/25
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Through the leaves
Fall foliage has never looked so inviting as it does with this cute possum peeking through the leaves, a reminder that this is really a wild animal.
20/25
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Tree creature
This cute possum is caught looking out from its den in Minnesota.
21/25
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Windows to the soul
They say that the eyes are the windows to the soul. And if that’s the case, we’re staring deep into the soul of this ringtail possum.
22/25
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Small but mighty
This baby possum is barely bigger than a blade of grass. How big do opossums get? They can be as small as 4 pounds to as heavy as 12. Males tend to be bigger and heavier compared with females.
23/25
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All snuggled up
This baby possum is all tucked in and ready for bed. Sweet dreams! Again, don’t try this at home, as opossums might be cute, but they aren’t cuddly.
24/25
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If a tree falls
A young possum is spotted walking on a fallen tree trunk in the forest.
25/25
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Staring contest
It’s a face-off! This pet possum isn’t afraid to observe the world from its perch on a tree stump.
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