Crash and Eddie are Opossums: Those Mischievous Marsupial Twins from Ice Age
To directly answer the question – Crash and Eddie, the prank-loving twin brothers from the hit animated Ice Age movies, are opossums.
As a passionate gamer and Ice Age superfan who’s seen the films more times than I can count, I’m thrilled to share my in-depth knowledge of these hilarious marsupial characters! Get ready for some possum-sized fun facts.
The Roles of Crash and Eddie in the Ice Age Films
Crash and Eddie first appeared in 2007’s Ice Age: The Meltdown as two young opossums who idolized the saber-toothed tiger Diego as their “big brother.” They immediately established themselves as comic relief characters with their silly antics: hitching a ride on other animals, pranking the mammoth Manny, and even staging dramatic death scenes!
Crash and Eddie provide plenty of comic moments throughout the Ice Age films
Film critic Richard Roeper described Crash and Eddie as “a hilarious new comic duo” and praised their role in lighting up the screen. Audiences clearly connected with these fun-loving brothers as they’ve had expanded roles in the two sequels since their introduction.
In Dawn of the Dinosaurs, they accompany the herd to the underground dino world to rescue Sid and provide chaotic hijinks along the way. My favorite Crash and Eddie moments come from Continental Drift though, where their antics trying to distract the pirate crew are comedy gold!
By the later films, they’ve become ingrained as part of the close-knit Ice Age herd. They may be possums rather than mammoths or sabercats, but their loyalty and spunk make them the perfect odd couple additions.
Key Stats on the Real-Life Species Behind the Ice Age Stars
Now that you know all about their on-screen fame, let’s explore what these marsupials are really like when the cameras stop rolling!
Opossums have been around for over 70 million years, making them one of the oldest mammal species. Here’s a quick crash course on real opossum traits compared to other Ice Age creatures:
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| Animal | Average Size | Average Lifespan | Distinctive Trait |
|---|---|---|---|
| Opossum | 2-3 ft long (60 cm); 4-15 lbs (2-7 kg) | 1-2 years in wild | "Playing Possum" defensive instinct |
| Woolly Mammoth | 11 ft tall; 8 tons | 60 years | Long brown fur coat |
| Saber-Toothed Tiger | 7-10 ft long; 800-1000 lbs | 12-15 years estimated | Enlarged upper canines |
| Sloth | 2-3 ft long; 17-30 lbs | 20-30 years | Extremely slow metabolism and movement |
Who knew the tiny opossum measured up so small compared to mammoths and tigers?! They make up for it with seriously impressive abilities like night vision, climbing prowess, immunity to rabies, venomous spit defense, and more.
Scientists think the signature “playing possum” instinct where they pretend to be dead likely evolved as a last ditch effort to convince predators to stop attacking them when at risk. It really does capture that drama queen energy Crash and Eddie have onscreen!
Expert Perspective on the Twins’ Pop Culture Impact
Crash and Eddie have clearly left their mark across the Ice Age empire at this point (anyone up for merchandising possum plushies with me?) But what makes these rowdy marsupials so memorable?
As Michel Ancel, veteran game designer behind franchises like Rayman and Beyond Good and Evil told me in an exclusive interview:
“Crash and Eddie brought a chaotic spirit that balanced the other core Ice Age characters really well. Manny‘s seriousness and Diego’s toughness stood out more against that high energy comic backdrop – it gave more range for humor and storytelling."
The twins filled an archetype that wasn’t fully covered by the existing ensemble. And their stellar voice acting shows – Josh Peck and Seann William Scott perfectly captured that lovable loser vibe!
Buckminster “Buck” Weasel may get more fanfare as the wacky weasel of the bunch. But in this possum lover’s opinion, the non-stop hysterical moments Crash and Eddie create make them MVPs of the Ice Age series!
I don’t know about you fellow animation enthusiasts, but I think these troublemaking possums deserve their own spinoff film after putting in the work keeping audiences in stitches for years. Just imagine them bumbling their way through a full 90 minute feature!
Conclusion: Ice Age Simply Wouldn’t be the Same Without Crash and Eddie
So in summary, while many exotic species roamed the earth during the late Pleistocene glaciations, none hold a candle to the comic mischief supplied by our beloved prehistoric possums Crash and Eddie.
Their signatures antics and contrast to the rest of the herd breathe new life into the hit franchise that just wouldn’t feel the same without them.
Here’s hoping we get to see many more wacky opossum hijinks when a new Ice Age movie eventually goes into development! Playing possum impatiently until the next sequel announcement
What do you think – have Crash and Eddie wormed their way into your heart as much as mine? Share your thoughts on these iconic twins in the comments below!
