Which species is often misunderstood as aggressive but may be beneficial?

The correct choice is opossum, which is often misunderstood as aggressive when, in fact, they can be quite beneficial to the environment. Opossums are North America's only marsupial and are known for their unique behaviors that contribute positively to the ecosystem. They are excellent at controlling pest populations, as they will eat ticks, rodents, insects, and even small snakes, which helps to reduce the potential for tick-borne diseases and crop damage.

Additionally, when threatened, opossums have a behavior known as "playing dead" or playing possum, where they fall limp, which can give the perception of aggression when they are actually just trying to avoid confrontation. Their generally docile nature and willingness to avoid conflict make them less of a threat than they may seem.

In contrast, though other animals like raccoons, bats, and skunks may also have misunderstood reputations, they do not share the same level of ecological benefit, specifically in pest control and disease prevention that opossums provide. While these species can display aggressive behavior when cornered and are often involved in urban conflicts due to food access, opossums stand out as a beneficial species that promotes health in their environments.