Latin is where we can establish that the etymological origin of the term marsupial that concerns us now is found. Exactly it derives from "marsupialis", which is the result of the sum of two lexical components of said language:
-The noun "marsupium", which can be translated as "bag".
-The suffix "-al", which is used to indicate "relating to" or even "characterized by."
The term refers to a mammalian animal that is characterized by the incubation of its young in a ventral pouch .
In these species, new specimens are born in a poorly developed state of pregnancy. That is why they are incubated by the females in a pouch where the mammary glands are located. This bag , essential for subsistence, is known as a marsupium or marsupial bag .
The pouch of marsupials is located on the outer ventral wall and is formed thanks to a duplication of the skin . The calf, by remaining inside, has access to the breasts and can complete its pregnancy.
It is estimated that there are about two hundred and seventy species of marsupials worldwide. Most of them have their habitat in Australia , although there are also marsupials on the American continent .
The best known marsupial is the kangaroo . It is a herbivorous animal characteristic of the Australian territory, which has highly developed hind limbs that allow it to move with jumps. The kangaroo also has a very strong tail, on which it stands when standing.
The koala is another typical Australian marsupial. It is identified by its large head, distinctive nose and rounded ears. Unlike the kangaroo, the koala lacks a tail.
Among the marsupials, the opossum , the mountain monkey and the marmosa also appear, among many other animals , each with its own particularities.
Other interesting facts about marsupials are the following:
-It is considered that they developed during the period known as the Lower Cretaceous.
-The largest marsupial known in history and which no longer exists today was called Diprotodon. This one, which was similar in size to a hippopotamus, disappeared about 46,000 years ago, was herbivorous and was found mainly in the temperate zones of the Earth, specifically in Australia. It had a height between 2 and 4 meters, could weigh up to 2,700 kilos and its closest "relative" was the wombat.
-The largest carnivorous marsupial known was Thylacoleo carnifex. This is also known as a marsupial lion and is already extinct, specifically it disappeared in the Pleistocene. It was part of the order called Diprotodontia, was the size of an adult leopard and is considered to be the largest carnivorous marsupial known. It could weigh up to 130 kilos, it is believed that it fed on carrion and fossil remains of it have been found in Australia.