Many people falsely assume opossums carry the rabies virus. When confronted by a human, who is naturally viewed as a potential predator by an opossum, most possums will "grin" to show its formidable set of teeth, drool, growl and probably play possum all in the hopes that you will think it sick or dead and leave it alone. While it is true that any mammal can get rabies, the possibility of healthy opossum carrying rabies is extremely rare. Scientists believe the opossum's low body temperature (94-97 degrees) makes it difficult for the rabies virus to survive in the opossum's body. According to the NC Division of Public Health 2008 Rabies Report, between 2004-2008, there were only 2 cases of rabies involving opossums. It is suggested that both these possums were sick and running fevers when they contracted rabies.

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.

The Virginia Opossum is the only marsupial native to North America. A marsupial is an animal with a short gestation period that gives birth to pre-mature babies who continue developing in the mother's pouch. They do not have placentas. The opossum's name is derived from the Algonquin word 'apasum', which means 'white animal.' The name 'opossum' was first used by Captain John Smith in 1608.Colloquially, it is also called "possum," but should not be confused with the Australian Possum.

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