Which is the only North American marsupial?

The opossum is recognized as the only marsupial native to North America. Marsupials are a group of mammals that typically carry and nurse their young in pouches. The opossum, specifically the Virginia opossum (Didelphis virginiana), is unique in that it belongs to a broader classification of marsupials, which also includes kangaroos and koalas, found primarily in Australia and surrounding regions.

In comparison, raccoons, squirrels, and possums (which are often confused with opossums) are not marsupials. Raccoons are members of the Procyonidae family, and squirrels belong to the Sciuridae family, both of which consist of placental mammals. The term "possum" generally refers to several species of marsupials found in Australia and nearby islands, not the Virginia opossum. Thus, the distinct classification of the opossum as a marsupial sets it apart as the only one of its kind in North America.