Bethany BrookshireMar 19
"....the possum first arrived in the US disguised as a children's toy and purchased duty-free. As it happened, that possum was expecting, and now possum eradication efforts in the lower 48 cost upwards of $218 million per year" - us in 30 years, probably. https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2026/mar/19/possum-hobart-airport-gift-shop-soft-toys
Possum found nestled in with plush toys at airport gift shop in Tasmania

A brushtail possum was found peering out among the toy kangaroos and dingoes in a retail store in Hobart’s airport, delighting staff and customers

The Guardian
Show threadepilonious
@beebrookshire I feel like our opossums and raccoons would ABSOLUTELY faff up an oceanic possum. Thus possums would basically be relegated to airport gift shops and Parkside news stands where they lay in wait amongst stuffed animal toys.
Mar 19 at 5:52pmWeb
Show threadepiloniousMar 19
@beebrookshire of course... Then they'd learn from housecats to be bold, imperious, and adorable... And just become another tolerated criminal expecting treats, exploiting sunbeams, and sharing the litterbox.
Show threadBethany Brookshire5d ago

@epilonious I think our opossums would respond with total shock and uselessness.

Raccoons? WAR. War those possums have NO HOPE of winning.