While opossums and possums are both marsupials and have similar snout, eye, and feet shapes, the similarities end there. Opossums are small, rat-like creatures with brown haired bodies, white haired faces, and rat tails. Possums are small, chinchilla-like creatures with no fur color difference from their face and body. Still cannot tell the difference? Where are you in the world? Opossums originate in North America, while possums originate in Australia.