noun
Virginia opossum; North American opossum
Refers specifically to Didelphis virginiana, the common opossum of North America. In Japanese, オポッサム alone can refer to opossums in general, so キタオポッサム clarifies the species.
キタオポッサムは北米に広く分布している。
The Virginia opossum is widely distributed in North America.
キタオポッサムは死んだふりをすることで有名だ。
The Virginia opossum is famous for playing dead.
オポッサム is the general term for opossums, while キタオポッサム specifies the Virginia opossum.
From 北 (north) + オポッサム (opossum), a direct translation of 'North American opossum'.