Marsupials are a diverse group of mammals characterized by giving birth to relatively undeveloped young that typically continue their development in a pouch on the mother's abdomen. They are found mainly in Australia, New Guinea, and the Americas. Common animals that are marsupials include:
- Kangaroos
- Koalas
- Opossums
- Possums
- Tasmanian devils
- Wombats
- Wallabies
- Bandicoots
- Quolls
- Numbats
- Dunnarts
- Antechinus
- Tree kangaroos
- Betongs
- Sugar gliders
- Quokkas
- Marsupial moles
- Bilbies
The Virginia opossum is a notable marsupial found in North America, while the majority of marsupial species are concentrated in Australia and nearby islands. Marsupials vary greatly in size from tiny species like the long- tailed planigale to large ones like the red kangaroo. Marsupials are distinct from other mammals by their reproductive strategy and the presence of a pouch (though some species have only a fold rather than a pouch). Only female marsupials have pouches, with an exception being the water opossum males who have pouches to protect reproductive parts while swimming. In summary, marsupials encompass a wide range of species mostly native to Australasia and the Americas, including well-known animals like kangaroos, koalas, and opossums, as well as many lesser-known species.
