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marsupial
Definition
Marsupials are mammals that carry their young in a pouch. They are found in Australia, New Guinea, and parts of South America. Marsupials come in all shapes and sizes, from the tiny mouse opossum to the large kangaroo.
Marsupials have a pouch because their young are born very underdeveloped. They crawl into the pouch after they are born and stay there for several months, drinking milk and growing.
Marsupials are fascinating creatures, and they play an important role in the ecosystems where they live. They are preyed upon by other animals, but they also help to control populations of insects and other small animals.
How can the word be used?
The kangaroo is a marsupial that is native to Australia.
Different forms of the word
Noun:
- A mammal that has a pouch in which the female carries its young.
- A member of the order Marsupialia, which includes kangaroos, wombats, and opossums.
Adjective:
- Relating to or characteristic of marsupials.
Etymology
The word "marsupial" comes from the Latin word "marsupium", which means "pouch".
The word "marsupial" was first used in English in the 18th century. It was originally used to describe mammals that have a pouch in which the female carries its young, but it soon came to be used in a more general sense to describe any member of the order Marsupialia.
Question
What is a marsupial?