Learn more about Oppossum Removal. Opossum Playing Dead. Why Do Opossums Play Dead? How to Take Care of an Opossum Problem Homeowners who come across seemingly dead opossums should never attempt to handle the pests. Do Opossums Hibernate in the Winter?
Opossums can play dead for between few seconds and several minutes, depending on the types of predator or danger they are confronted with. 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. The shock experience by the animal will induce the animal to go into a comatose that may last for between 40 minutes or more than 3 hours. While an Opossum is playing dead, its body remains in a limp state, while the front teeth will suddenly turn to balls and at the same time drools run from its mouth.
It may sometimes appear that post-death decay has started already in the animal. The state of play dead by an Opossum may sometimes go as far as releasing some decay odour, as the animal release some foul smell from its anal region — this will eventually fool the predator into believing that the carcass of the animal is already decaying.
With all of his odd little quirks such as hanging upside down by his tail , the oddest is his propensity to play dead when he just doesn't want to deal with a situation confronting him. Opossums are generally peaceful animals. They prefer to avoid a fight if at all possible. They move slowly on the ground and are vulnerable to predators, which include dogs, coyotes and foxes. They are also frequent victims of cars. If cornered, opossums will hiss, growl and even bite.
More than likely, however, they will faint in shock at the prospect of such a confrontation. Or, as it's more commonly known, they'll "play dead.
Playing dead is an involuntary response on the part of the opossum. The stress of the confrontation facing the opossum causes him to go into shock. This shock induces a comatose state that can last from 40 minutes to four hours.
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