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.

Do possums like to play dead?

Opossums don't actually play dead when they're threatened. Instead, they involuntarily enter a catatonic state. ... Many people believe it's a good act, but according to scientists the possum is actually in tonic immobility or thanatosis, and its body enters a catatonic state in response to fear.

How can you tell if a possum is playing dead?

Commonly after an hour, the ears of the Opossum start to move slightly. This is your indicator to know that it's an actor :) After four hours of stiff ears, you can be pretty sure that you are looking down on a dead animal. Call the competent authority (local veterinarian, wildlife rehabilitator, animal control etc.)

Do possums get stiff when they play dead?

However, the opossum, most known for playing dead, is not a dangerous animal. ... When an opossum is scared, its body shuts down and the animal goes stiff, with its teeth bared, and saliva drips from its open mouth. In addition, it gives off a bad smell!

Can you move a possum playing dead?

Homeowners who come across seemingly dead opossums should never attempt to handle the pests. Although they appear lifeless, opossums playing dead are fully alert and may bite or scratch if grabbed, which can spread dangerous illnesses like rabies, tuberculosis, leptospirosis, and spotted fever.

Wild Opossum Playing Dead (Fremont, California)

How long will an opossum play dead?

It is much more likely that the opossum will faint or “play dead” at the prospect of a confrontation. This physiological response is involuntary and automatic. The stress and shock of the encounter actually triggers a comatose state that can last anywhere from 40 minutes to four hours.

What happens when possums 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. ... It may even appear that rigor mortis has begun.

How long will a dead possum smell?

Even after elimination of the source of dead rodent smell, the unsettling scent may linger for up to two weeks. Natural ventilation is necessary to expedite the dissipation of the odor.

Where do Possums sleep?

>> Virginia opossums are nocturnal (most active at night). They sleep during the day in a den in a hollow tree or in an abandoned rodent burrow.

Are possums rabid?

Rabies. ... In fact, rabies is extremely rare in opossums, perhaps because they have a much lower body temperature compared to other warm-blooded animals.

Are opossums deaf?

Like all marsupials, possums have pouches and give birth to live young. These newborns are no bigger than honeybees and are typically blind and deaf. To complete their development, young possums must crawl from the birth canal into their mother's pouch, where they will compete for a teat.

Can possums freeze to death?

As animals that originated in the Tropics, opossums can't bulk up with subcutaneous fat as well as raccoons and other North American mammals, so they are in danger of freezing when temperatures dip below 19 degrees Fahrenheit. ... So it has to just sit in its den and burn energy." Too many such nights and the animal dies.

Should I let a possum live under my house?

To a possum, the crawlspace under a house seems like a good place to set up its own home. Dark, ground level and protected from the elements, a home's crawlspace has the same qualities a possum would seek for its den in the wild. Most homeowners, on the other hand, prefer not to have a possum living under their house.

What time do possums come out?

Opossums are nocturnal, that is they sleep during the day and come out at night, so the chance that a small child will come into contact with an opossum is slim.

How can you tell a male from a female opossum?

In addition to size differences, you can tell a male apart from a female by the color of the male's chest hair. Males have a skin gland used for chemical communication that stains the chest fur yellow. Females have a fur-lined pouch for raising and carrying infants.

What is opossum favorite food?

Opossums generally eat fruit, grains and insects, but will also eat out of compost piles, garbage cans and pet food dishes if they can get access. They have been known to eat fish, birds and mammals as well.

Why do possums smell so bad?

When an opossum goes into this comatose state, they also begin to emit a foul odor similar to that of a decaying corpse. Their body secretes this smelly substance from their anus when the comatose reaction is triggered. This putrid smell along with their “dead” state is what really drives the predators away.

Why does a dead animal smell worse at night?

In addition, moist or wet conditions speed the process of decay. Air Flow: The flow of air in the home greatly affects the dead animal smell. For example, if the dead animal is in the attic, you may smell the odor more in the morning as the affected area cools at night and the air sinks into the home.

Why does my house smell like dead animal?

If you have a bad smell in the house, there's a chance it could be a dead animal causing the odor. Wild animals live in buildings all the time. Common culprits include mice, rats, squirrels, opossums, and raccoons. ... I can simply crawl in the attic or under the house and find the deceased critter.

What is the difference between possums and opossums?

Here's a tip: Opossums and possums are different animals. Opossums live in North and South America, while possums live in Australia and other countries. Both animals are marsupials, but possums are more closely related to kangaroos. ... They are entirely different animals.

Why do possums open their mouth?

And their main defense against would-be predators, along with playing dead or playing opossum, is a behavior called “gaping,” opening their mouths wide and making a hissing noise. Goldberg says while it may look menacing, the animal is bluffing. It's a defensive, not an offensive strategy to scare off enemies.

What do you do with a dead possum in your backyard?

Place the dead possum in a plastic garbage bag and tie the bag tightly. Place the plastic bag in a garbage can with a lid. Alternatively, place it in a cardboard box and tape the box shut. Keeping the carcass in a closed container prevents scavengers from getting to it and breaking the plastic bag.

What is so bad about opossums?

Opossums become dangerous with their ability to transmit diseases to pets and people. Known to carry leptospirosis, tuberculosis, coccidiosis, spotted fever, tularemia, and other diseases, the pesky creatures pose serious health threats when they invade urban environments.

Do opossums carry diseases?

Opossums carry diseases such as leptospirosis, tuberculosis, relapsing fever, tularemia, spotted fever, toxoplasmosis, coccidiosis, trichomoniasis, and Chagas disease. They may also be infested with fleas, ticks, mites, and lice. Opossums are hosts for cat and dog fleas, especially in urban environments.

Can you keep a possum as a pet?

It's illegal to keep them without a wildlife rehabilitation permit, though, and once they're old enough to survive on their own, healthy possums can, and should, be released. They're wild animals who don't fare well often in captivity. Trying to transform a possum into a pet can be expensive and heartbreaking.