Opossum's 'playing possum' defense outshines footballers

In the animal kingdom, deception is a survival tactic, and few creatures master it quite like the Virginia opossum. When faced with a predator, the opossum employs a dramatic defense mechanism known as 'playing possum,' essentially faking its own death.

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The best performance is given by the Virginia opossum.

This elaborate performance begins with the opossum puffing up its fur and baring its teeth while hissing and drooling. If this display isn't enough to deter the threat, the opossum collapses, lying completely still with its tongue lolling out. To enhance the illusion, it releases a foul-smelling fluid from its anal glands, creating a convincing picture of a deceased animal. This involuntary reflex, akin to a deer freezing in headlights, is designed to make predators lose interest and move on, allowing the opossum to escape.

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First, the opossum puffs up its fur. Then it begins to grimace, hiss, and drool.

While effective for survival, this 'playing possum' can sometimes backfire. If an opossum collapses in the middle of a road, it risks being run over. This sophisticated act of feigning death has even given rise to the English idiom "to play possum." The behavior isn't unique to opossums; similar displays have been observed in raccoons, snakes, and even frogs, who may play dead to avoid unwanted advances from potential mates.

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If this is not enough, the opossum collapses like a corpse and plays dead.