Pretending to be dead!

[pstewart]

Opossums "play dead" when threatened, so I've heard. It's true all right, as I discovered when I encountered this little guy on the trail. He became as still as a statue when he saw me, not even blinking, then verrrry slowwwly lay down, closed his eyes, and bared his teeth. Maybe he wanted to look mean just in case someone didn't believe he was actually dead? After taking some pictures, I touched him with a stick thinking it would encourage him to run away. But he remained motionless and let me move him around a bit. He sure was a good actor! He didn't move at all until I was quite a ways down the path and he was sure he was safe. Cute little critter...sorry I frightened him, but glad he was only pretending.



See the series of pics here:
http://www.pbase.com/pstewart/opossum

[jcboyd]

Phyllis
These little critters are normally out after dark. In the area I live in I have seen many in the headlights, but never during the daylight hours.
Thanks for sharing.
john

[gillettecraig]

That's one of the defense mechanisms, it's in sort of a state of shock or even coma, the metabolism slows, things ooze, it doesn't (probably can't) respond to external stimulus - many predators leave "dead" prey alone.

[pstewart]

Yes, I have learned since writing the original blurb that it is an involuntary response. Fascinating.

Odd thing is that they bare their teeth as well. So their "death face" is a mean one. The critters have survived this far, so this combination of tactics must work pretty well.

[ukexpat]

Yes, I have learned since writing the original blurb that it is an involuntary response. Fascinating.

Odd thing is that they bare their teeth as well. So their "death face" is a mean one. The critters have survived this far, so this combination of tactics must work pretty well.

Isn't this behaviour the origin of the expression "playing possum"?