"Playing possum" is an idiomatic phrase which means "pretending to be dead". [13] It comes from a characteristic of the Virginia opossum, which is famous for reacting with a death-like posture …

When threatened, opossums growl, hiss and bare their teeth or climb a tree to escape. If they are unable to escape, they “play possum” by falling over as if dead, curling up in a ball, opening …

Nov 30, 2022 · While not everyone knows how to spell opossum, everybody knows they tend to play dead. A common roadkill victim, late-night drivers often see them littered on roadsides, …

Mar 9, 2025 · Although they appear lifeless, opossums playing dead are fully alert and may bite or scratch if grabbed. Attempting to handle an opossum can cause it to react defensively, …

Jan 24, 2023 · Opossums may play dead for a surprisingly long time. Most people assume that an opossum jumps up and runs down the trail the moment a predator or threat is out of sight. On …

Sep 15, 2023 · What Exactly is Happening When a Possum Plays Dead? How Long Does the “Death Feigning” Last? Understanding the Stages of Tonic Immobility in Possums; Why Do …

Why Do Opossums Play Dead? Wild animals have various defense mechanisms, and the opossum is the oddest. They play dead to avoid confrontations with predators. It is a common …

Mar 21, 2024 · Opossums are known for their instinctive ability to play dead when threatened. This unique reaction is called thanatosis, and it’s a natural defense mechanism — it’s usually …

Jan 3, 2018 · Give a "dead" opossum the benefit of the doubt before disposing of the body. It may be "playing possum" as an involuntary response to a threat, in which the opossum becomes …

Playing dead is an involuntary response on the part of the opossum. The stress of the confrontation facing the opossum causes him to go into shock. This shock induces a comatose …