Opossums, or possums as they are commonly known, are fascinating creatures that have garnered a reputation for being cunning and resourceful. They are often misunderstood, and their behavior has been misinterpreted, leading to many myths and misconceptions about these clever critters. From playing dead to using their tails as weapons, here are some of the myths and realities of the opossum.

Playing Dead

One of the most well-known behaviors of the opossum is playing dead. This behavior is known as “playing possum,” and it is thought to be a defense mechanism. When the opossum is frightened, it will fall to the ground, close its eyes, and become limp. It may also emit a foul-smelling odor from its anal glands, which can deter predators.

However, contrary to popular belief, playing dead is not a voluntary behavior. It is an involuntary response to stress, and the opossum is not faking its death. The behavior is triggered by a part of the opossum’s brain called the amygdala, which sends a signal to the body to shut down. Once the danger has passed, the opossum will wake up and continue on its way.

Using Their Tails as Weapons

Another myth about opossums is that they use their tails as weapons to defend themselves. While opossums do have strong tails, they are not used for fighting. Instead, the tail is used for balance when climbing and for grasping objects.

Feigning Illness

Another myth about opossums is that they feign illness to deter predators. It is believed that opossums will limp or act sick to make predators think they are too weak to be preyed upon. However, there is no evidence to support this behavior in opossums. It is more likely that opossums are simply injured or sick and cannot move properly.

Eating Garbage

Opossums are often associated with eating garbage and being a nuisance in urban areas. While they do eat a diverse diet that includes fruits, insects, and small animals, they are not attracted to garbage. In fact, opossums can help control the population of pests like cockroaches and ticks.

Conclusion

Opossums are fascinating creatures that have adapted well to their environment. They are not the cunning tricksters they are often made out to be, but they do have some interesting behaviors that have been misunderstood. By debunking these myths, we can better appreciate these intelligent animals and their place in our ecosystem.