Didelphis virginiana

9.1

A North American opossum with a pouch that often plays dead when threatened

noun
/ˈdɪdəlfɪs vɜrˈdʒɪniˌɑːnə/

Specialized

: Didelphis virginiana

When threatened, Didelphis virginiana often pretends to be dead, a behavior known as 'playing possum'.

Examples

The Didelphis virginiana is the only marsupial found north of Mexico.
Researchers observed a Didelphis virginiana foraging near the edge of the forest at dusk.
The Didelphis virginiana is often seen in urban areas.
Have you ever spotted a Didelphis virginiana in the wild?
When threatened, the Didelphis virginiana often pretends to be dead, a behavior known as 'playing possum'.
Researchers observed a Didelphis virginiana foraging near the edge of the forest at dusk.
The Didelphis virginiana is the only marsupial found north of Mexico.

Surface Forms

Didelphis virginiana singular

Didelphis virginianas plural

Morphology

Didelphis + virginiana

This is a standard Linnaean binomial: 'Didelphis' (a genus of American marsupials) combined with 'virginiana' (denoting origin from Virginia) directly identifies the species commonly called the Virginia opossum. If a B1 learner knows both constituent meanings, the species identity is compositionally derivable and the taxonomic naming convention is cross-linguistically consistent, so the combination is transparent.

Etymology

Didelphis virginiana is the Latin name for the Virginia opossum, a common North American mammal that carries its babies in a pouch. The part Didelphis names the opossum and virginiana shows it comes from Virginia, and the animal is famous for 'playing possum'—it lies very still and seems dead when scared, so the name helps you remember that behavior.