Marsupials are a fascinating group of mammals known for their distinctive pouches. Native mostly to Australia and the Americas, these animals give birth to tiny, underdeveloped young, which then crawl into their mother’s pouch to continue growing. Famous marsupials include kangaroos, wallabies, and the ever-sleepy koala.
Not all marsupials hop or climb trees. The Tasmanian devil is a fierce scavenger, while sugar gliders use flaps of skin to glide between trees. Opossums, the only marsupials in North America, are immune to snake venom and play dead to evade predators. Marsupials showcase nature’s creativity with their unique survival strategies.