Playing Possum

Typically, the opossum is not an aggressive animal. When threatened, an opossum will first attempt to run away. Once cornered, it will respond ferociously by growling, hissing and showing its teeth in a gaping "grin." It will then begin to drool and may pass a thin, watery stool. If this has not succeeded in scaring off the threat, the possum's next "weapon" in its defense arsenal is to feign death. This reaction appears to be involuntary and is triggered by extreme fear.

The possum falls over on its side, body stiff. The mouth and eyes are open, the tongue hangs out. Drooling, its breathing slows and becomes shallow. Leaking a watery fluid from its anus and emitting an odor putrid to most predators, the possum enters a state of near coma, which can last up to four hours. Playing possum, faking death, is a defense that discourages many animals who eat live prey and convinces others that the "carcass" is too foul to eat. After the predator has left, the possum happily revives and ambles away.

A female with young is unable to play possum which allows her to stay alert and able to defend her babies.