up. Playing dead is usually more of a last resort when the opossum feels cornered and escape is not possible. Opossums are extremely clean. Following the suggestion of @OddDeer that scavengers would eat a possum playing dead, I did a bit of searching. Playing dead is the most effective way opossums have to protect themselves against predators. It instead helps you by eating cockroaches, rats, remnants of dead bodies of animals, etc. Kits are born blind and hairless without well-developed rear limbs. In these cases, opossums will fight back against attackers if they have the chance; they will bite and claw as much as they can without risking death to escape them first. This is known as tonic immobility or thanatosis. It will look, feel, and even smell as if it is deceased. The smell is so strong that other animals do not want to risk eating it. And it seems to work pretty well! So, they usually move on if they see an opossum's lifeless body on the ground. Why Fiberglass Windows Are Not Popular And Are They Worth It? This trait does not help them against car accidents as most drivers do not see them or believe that they are already dead. This behavior often confuses predators, who will then move on to another target. The species is listed as Least Concern due to an increase in population. It is almost like it really is deadat least until it wakes up again when the threat has passed. It all has to do with their reproductive habits. So, make sure to wear gloves. Likewise, they do not tend to cause structural damage to the foundations of buildings they are living underneath. They may hiss or growl when they are cornered, but as long as you maintain your distance, these animals won't do you any harm. Euler: A baby on his lap, a cat on his back thats how he wrote his immortal works (origin? But, many people get scared and kill them. Possums are not likely to come outside of their habitats. The scent literally smells as if the opossum is an actual corpse, and when predators smell it, they instantly want to get as far away as possible! This may last from 40 minutes to 4 hours. WATCH: Sharks biting alligators, the most epic lion battles, and MUCH more. Other articles where playing dead is discussed: opossum: The Virginia opossum: feign deathhence the expression "playing possum." The animal also possesses a protein in its blood called lethal toxin-neutralizing factor (LTNF), which has been shown to detoxify a wide variety of poisons, including the venom produced by snakes, bees, and scorpions. They do play dead, a behavior that has been coined "playing possum." Playing dead is a defense mechanism for opossums, according to National Geographic. They normally do not desire to fight, other than over mates or territory. Following the suggestion of @OddDeer that scavengers would eat a possum playing dead, I did a bit of searching. If it is not able to run away, the opossum will be forced into the state of playing dead. Possums are notorious for grooming themselves by eating ticks. Its not unusual to see a squashed opossum that has ventured out into the road at the wrong moment. Usually silvery grey in colour with a black band across the snout, they have a white to brownish-yellow belly. But how do opossums keep their metabolism low enough to convincingly play dead? When they play dead, they release a liquid from glands located near their tail. These mimic rabies symptoms, but the pests are unlikely to carry the disease due to a low body temperature and high resistance. This is a physiological response that is caused automatically, and the possum is unable to control it. No blood or fur but rump tail and maybe rear leg were gone. Because the odor is so repulsive, most predators will quickly move along, avoiding becoming entangled. Newest results. Also if its a female check the pouch towards their stomach for babies if none are located then W. How to Attract Flying Squirrels to Your Backyard? These are shy, nocturnal animals that like to hide. So, in a way, playing dead is not actually an act. Most significantly, opossums eat ticks by the thousands up to 4,000 per week, the National Wildlife Foundation reports. In fact, its common for opossums to kill cockroaches and rats if they find them in their territory. Not only do they take care of pests, they do so without spreading disease to humans. To do this, a possum will fall down and act lethargic, have trouble getting up, lose its teeth and claws and even defecate on itself. But that does not mean we should just kill them mercilessly. Members of the Opossum Society of the United States include the state Department of Wildlife, veterinarians, wildlife rehabilitators, and animal control officers. These marsupials have an elongated snout, and a large sagittal crest - a bone making their forehead look taller. Yes, an opossum will try to escape from threats. This disease affects cats as well, and can even be transferred to humans. Opossums are typically harmless animals their only defense is to play dead! Opossums can maintain this state of thanatosis for several hours until they are certain the danger has passed. I keep reading that foxes and Possums do not require feeding as long as they are not bitten by a Rattlesnake or Coral Snake. This is caused by an involuntary reaction caused by a stress response in the animal. A friend of John James Audubon described how an opossum mother stood on her hind legs, bent over, and licked the baby into the pouch of the egg. Possums really do play dead. Playing dead is regarded as an instinctive response from an Opossum, as the prospect of facing danger can send the animal into a temporary shock. Navigate to homepage. After an opossum has woken up from playing dead, it will immediately try to escape from the situation it was in when it started playing dead. Its whats called an involuntary response. It may even appear that rigor mortis has set in. When an opossum enters a state of thanatosis, it can involuntarily discharge its bowels. When fighting, they may also make hissing and growling sounds. Let them make sure of its death before declaring it dead. This aids them as prey in the wild. While "dead," the opossum's body is limp, it's front feet form into balls and drool runs out of its mouth. While there are a few reports each year where opossums do carry rabies, cases in wildlife such as bats, raccoons, skunks and foxes are more prevalent. The Great Outdoors Stack Exchange is a question and answer site for people who love being outdoors enjoying nature and wilderness, and learning about the required skills and equipment. After some googling, I think this question might be answerable only by a vet, an anesthesiologist or a wildlife expert. Opossums are able to play dead for up to six hours at a time. It is not necessary to capture or handle an opossum. Opossum Teeth: Everything You Need to Know, Do Possums Eat Ticks? In general, however, opossums are quite peaceful animals. 10. You should refrain from such animal cruelties and make everyone around your neighborhood or locality aware of the benefits possums can have. The primary reason that opossums would fight each other is during mating season. In mammals, the Virginia possum is known as defensive thanatosis. How long do they stay still on the ground? You may be surprised to learn the average lifespan of an opossum is just 1 to 2 years. Usually, these animals are always threatened by the presence of anything. When they play dead they are not unconscious and they have not fainted. To know if it is playing dead or has actually gone dead, firstly check if it is breathing or not. They live in woodlands and forests. See also. She grabbed a flashlight, followed the noise, and soon found a dead possum. Death does not only symbolize the end of life. play: [noun] swordplay. However, it depends on the shock and predator. Why do academics stay as adjuncts for years rather than move around? (and Other Places), Can Possums Climb Fences? Opossums have a strong sense of smell that they use to locate food. If it is able to see an escape route, it may try to run away, though opossums are not very fast runners. Will An Opossum Try To Escape From Threats? When people throw things out the car window including pieces of fruit or parts of sandwiches they are attractive to opossums. Call pest control, if need be. But in reality, they are our harmless wild neighbors, who are not at all harmful rather helpful at times. From What will eat an opossum?, September 23, 2009 by retrieverman. This hormone slows down the opossums metabolism, which in turn slows its heartbeat and breathing. All rights reserved. While in this comatose state, the opossum appears entirely dead. However, by playing dead, the animal symbolizes just about the opposite. Just like the reflex to play dead is involuntary, so is the state that the opossum enters. As we already mentioned, possum poop as well as urine are toxic and can harm people a lot if they are contaminated. Still, if you want to make sure of its death correctly, you can hold and observe if it is breathing or not. Opossums are not the most beloved of wild animals. Apparent death, colloquially known as playing dead, feigning death, or playing possum, is a behavior in which animals take on the appearance of being dead. Answer (1 of 5): A good tip with opossums they can play dead so he/she can still be alive make sure your positive its dead before you try to pick it up wait about 4 hours to check if he/ she is alive. In addition to discussing the concept of playing dead, we're also going to take a closer look . Do not handle the body in a way that will cause injury or harm to the opossum. It isn't unthinkable that an opossum will sample low-hanging fruit still on the . Homeowners should also re move other obvious sources of food and shelter . My Hamster Has Dried Urine on Its Underside. Possum can play dead for 40 minutes to 4 hours. Mucous is released by an opossum when its heart rate slows and it sleeps peacefully. Let your pet rest its feet in the crook of your arm so that it can feel safe and properly supported. To learn more, see our tips on writing great answers. Your email address will not be published. They are also very good at surviving on their own by eating rodents, insects, worms, birds, eggs and fruits. The opossum will fall to the ground and lie motionless with its eyes open and its tongue sticking out. With their sharp teeth and rat-like appearance, many people are afraid of or disgusted by opossums.