Examples of animals that look like possums include African Striped Weasel, American Badger, American Marten, American Mink, and Beech Marten.
When most people think of possums, they think of small, rat-like creatures that scurry around in the dark. However, there are some animals out there that look very similar to possums but are actually quite different. In this blog post, we will take a look at some of these animals and discuss the differences between them and possums.
Examples of Animals that Look Like Possums
1. African Striped Weasel
| Scientific Name | Poecilogale albinucha |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | much of Africa south of the equator |
The African striped weasel is a small mammal that is found in Africa. It is similar in appearance to the possum, but it is actually a member of the weasel family. The African striped weasel has a long body and a tail that is about half the length of its body. It also has black and white stripes running along its back.
The African striped weasel is a carnivore and it feeds on small mammals, birds, and reptiles. It is an excellent hunter and it uses its long body to help it climb trees in order to catch its prey.
2. American Badger
| Scientific Name | Taxidea taxus |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | from the west coast to Texas, Oklahoma, Missouri, Illinois, Ohio, Michigan and Indiana |
The American badger is a member of the mustelid family, which also includes weasels, otters, and wolverines. Badgers are found in North America, Europe, and Asia. They are short-legged animals with long bodies and thick fur. Their diet consists mainly of small mammals such as rabbits and ground squirrels.
Badgers are often mistaken for possums because of their similar appearance. However, there are several key differences between the two animals. For one, badgers have shorter tails and larger feet than possums. Additionally, badgers typically have black-and-white facial markings, while possums do not. Finally, badgers live in burrows, while possums live in trees.
3. American Marten
| Scientific Name | Martes americana |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | the forests of Canada and Alaska, northern New England and the Great Lakes region, and south through the Rocky Mountain and Sierra Nevada mountain ranges |
The American marten is a small mammal of the weasel family that is found in North America. They are similar in appearance to possums, but have a long, bushy tail and furry feet. Martens are excellent tree climbers and are known for their playful nature.
4. American Mink
| Scientific Name | Neovison vison |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | throughout the United States, appearing in parts of every state except Arizona |
The American mink is a small, semi-aquatic mammal that is native to North America. Minks are similar in appearance to possums, with their long, slender bodies and dark fur. However, they are significantly smaller than possums, with an average length of only 30 cm (12 in). They also have different habits, as they are often found near water and prefer to live in dens made from logs or rocks.
5. Beech Marten
| Scientific Name | Martes foina |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | throughout much of Europe and Central Asia |
The beech marten is a small mammal that is found in Europe and Asia. It is similar in appearance to the American opossum, but it is actually more closely related to weasels and ferrets. The beech marten has a long body with a short tail, and its fur is brown or black with white patches on its chest and belly.
6. European Badger
| Scientific Name | Meles meles |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | throughout the British Isles, Europe, and Scandinavia |
The European badger is a large, stocky mammal with short legs and a long body. They are found in woodlands across Europe and Asia and are member of the mustelid family, which includes weasels, otters, and wolverines.
7. European Pine Marten
| Scientific Name | Martes martes |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | continental Eurasia |
The European pine marten is a small mammal that is found in Europe and Asia. It has a long body and a short tail, and its fur is brown or red in color.Martens are similar to possums in that they are nocturnal animals that live in trees. However, martens are carnivores, while possums are omnivores.Martens also have sharp claws that they use for climbing and catching prey, while possums do not.
8. European Polecat
| Scientific Name | Mustela putorius |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | North Africa and western Eurasia |
The European polecat is a small mammal that belongs to the Mustelidae family. This animal is also known as the black or forest polecat and can be found in many parts of Europe, Asia, and North Africa. The European polecat is similar in appearance to a possum, but it is actually a member of the weasel family.
This animal has a black or dark brown fur coat with a white or cream-colored belly. It has a long body and a short tail. The European polecat is a carnivore that feeds on small rodents, birds, reptiles, and amphibians.
9. Fisher Cat
| Scientific Name | Pekania pennanti |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | North America |
Fisher cats are a type of wild cat that is found in North America. They are similar in size to a domestic cat and have short, dark fur. Fisher cats are known for their hunting skills and their loud, screeching calls. While they are not related to possums, they do share some similarities, such as their long tails and sharp claws.
10. Honey Badger
| Scientific Name | Mellivora capensis |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | most of sub-Saharan Africa, Saudi Arabia, Iran, and western Asia |
The honey badger is a member of the weasel family and is native to Africa, India, and the Middle East. They are much larger than possums, weighing in at up to 33 pounds, and have a reputation for being extremely aggressive and vicious.
11. Javan Ferret-Badger
| Scientific Name | Melogale orientalis |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | Indonesia |
The Javan Ferret-Badger is a member of the Mustelidae family, which includes weasels, otters, and badgers. They are found in Indonesia on the island of Java. They are dark brown with a light brown stripe running down their back. They have a long body and short legs. They are about the same size as a possum.
Javan Ferret-Badgers are nocturnal animals that live in forests. They are solitary creatures that only come together to mate. They eat small mammals, reptiles, and insects.
Related Article: What Colors Can Ferrets Be?
12. Least Weasel
| Scientific Name | Mustela nivalis |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | Europe and North Africa, Asia and parts of northern North America |
The least weasel is a small mammal of the mustelid family, which also includes otters, badgers, and wolverines. It is the smallest member of this family in North America, with an average length of just 8 to 10 inches (20-25 cm).
The body is slender and elongated, with short legs and a long tail. The fur is brown or rusty-brown on the upper body, with lighter coloration on the underside. The eyes are small and black, and the ears are rounded and relatively large.
Related Article: Is a Weasel a Rodent?
13. Wolverine
| Scientific Name | Gulo gulo |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | Canada and Alaska |
The wolverine is a large, furry animal that is native to North America and Asia. Wolverines are much larger than possums, weighing up to 200 pounds. They have long claws and sharp teeth, which they use to kill their prey. Wolverines are also known for their strength and ferocity, making them one of the most feared predators in the wild.
Conclusion
Opossums are interesting creatures that look like a cross between a raccoon and a rat. They are the only marsupials found in North America, and their young live in their mother’s pouch until they are old enough to fend for themselves. Opossums are omnivores and eat both plants and animals. They are shy creatures that prefer to stay out of sight, but they will defend themselves if necessary.
Hi, I’m Garreth. Living in South Africa I’ve had the pleasure of seeing most of these animals up close and personal. When I was younger I always wanted to be a game ranger but unfortunately, life happens and now at least I get to write about them and tell you my experiences.