The opossum is the only marsupial found in the United States. Like other marsupials such as the kangaroo and the koala, opossum young are born very early and undergo most of their development in the mother's abdominal pouch. The opossum is a medium-sized mammal about the size of a domestic cat. Adult opossums average about 28 inches in total length including the foot-long tail and generally weigh around 4 to 5 pounds.
Males are usually slightly larger than the females.
The fur is white at the base with back tips and interspersed with longer white guard hairs, giving the opossum an overall grizzled appearance. The hair on the face is short and white and the snout is pointed. The ears of the opossum are short, leathery, and unfurred, black at the base with pinkish-white tips. The tail is long and scaly with only a few scattered hairs, also colored black at the base and pinkish-white elsewhere. The legs of the opossum are short and the front feet are quite dexterous, allowing the opossum to grasp and hold food in its front paws.