Interesting facts about opossums: misconceptions and reality

wikimedia.org

Opossums, as the only marsupial mammals in North America, have long evoked mixed feelings among people. One of the most renowned zoologists of the 19th century, German scientist and traveler Alfred Brehm, described them as extremely unpleasant creatures with unattractive appearances and sluggish behavior. He even claimed that opossums seem disgustingly stupid and capable of only one reaction — sitting motionless with their mouths open.

However, modern observations and studies of these animals’ behavior allow us to view opossums from a more objective perspective and understand that they are far more complex and interesting than the great naturalists of the past might have thought.

 

Brehm's Perspective and Its Reassessment

Alfred Brehm, while traveling through America, encountered opossums in conditions where they did not show their best sides. He noted their awkward gait, tendency toward sleepiness, and harm to domestic poultry.

Indeed, farmers often found these predators right in the chicken coop after nightly raids, where opossums, having drunk the blood of the killed chickens and not even trying to escape, could fall asleep at the crime scene. Such an image of the animal naturally caused disdain among observers.

However, further research has shown that in their natural habitat, opossums behave much more nimbly and are not as stupid as they might initially appear. They climb trees quite deftly and, as omnivorous predators, can track and successfully catch a variety of animals — from small mammals and birds to insects and frogs. On the ground, however, in the unfamiliar “flatlands,” opossums indeed appear slow and clumsy.

 

Danger to Poultry and the Reputation of Marauders

Among farmers, opossums have a bad reputation. These animals can indeed harm domestic households, as they often raid chicken coops and yards.

Unlike some other predators who would prefer to snatch their prey and flee, the opossum turns the chicken coop into a true "feast." It attacks chickens, drinks their blood, and sometimes remains at the scene, contentedly falling asleep beside the dead birds.

Such shocking behavior naturally provokes a desire to get rid of the animal: farmers, catching an opossum at the crime scene, often attempt to kill it. Nonetheless, many opossums escape retribution by demonstrating a very curious defensive reaction.

 

Playing Possum: The Art of Pretending to Be Dead

The most famous trait of these animals is the so-called "playing possum," or the ability to pretend to be dead. This trick even became the basis for the well-known English expression "to play possum," meaning "to pretend" or "to feign."

When confronted by a predator or human, an opossum falls into a state resembling paralysis: it lies motionless with its legs spread, its eyes glassy, and its mouth slightly open. Sometimes foam emerges from its mouth, and its anal glands release a foul-smelling secretion, completing the illusion of a dead body.

It is important to note that this reaction has a physiological nature and is not entirely a conscious act. It resembles fainting or catalepsy: the animal appears to “shut down,” and its body automatically maintains the appearance of a corpse. When the danger passes, the opossum suddenly "comes to life" and runs away.

Interestingly, very young opossums may exhibit this ability at the wrong time or fail to demonstrate it altogether. Newborns do not yet have fully developed nervous systems and cannot instantly "shut down" when threatened, making them more vulnerable. However, in adults, this trick often proves surprisingly effective against a wide range of predators — from wolves and coyotes to humans.

An opossum playing dead

wikipedia.org

 

Habitat and Lifestyle

Opossums are found in North, Central, and South America, inhabiting a variety of landscapes: from forests and mangroves to tropical jungles and shrub-covered areas. They prefer a solitary, almost nomadic lifestyle, staying in one area as long as there is enough food and water.

Usually, opossums do not build their own shelters but settle in abandoned burrows, crevices in rocks, or under house floors. They make little effort to improve their temporary homes, preferring dark, safe places and hunting during nighttime hours.

Additionally, some large opossum species possess remarkable resistance to the venom of pit vipers, such as rattlesnakes. This allows them to hunt dangerous reptiles and thrive in areas where other mammals might risk their lives.

 

Omnivorousness and Ecosystem Benefits

Although opossums are often classified as predators, their diet is much broader. They can eat berries, fruits, insects, carrion, and even food scraps, making them important natural sanitarians.

Numerous studies indicate that opossums consume large numbers of ticks, thereby reducing the risk of diseases carried by these parasites.

Additionally, the low body temperature of most opossum species (for mammals) gives them increased resistance to rabies. While infection cannot be entirely ruled out, it occurs far less frequently in these animals than in many other creatures that interact with humans.

 

The Amazing Development of Offspring

Scientific literature often contains romantic descriptions of the birth of opossums, allegedly forming directly in the mother’s pouch. In reality, marsupial offspring are born underdeveloped and tiny, and only after birth do they crawl into the pouch to attach to the mother’s teats.

Interesting Fact

Opossums can have up to 20 offspring in one litter, all of which could fit in an ordinary teaspoon.

The mother licks a path along her abdomen, easing the babies’ journey to the pouch. Once they reach the teat, the offspring latch on tightly to continue growing over the next few weeks while receiving nourishment and protection. When they grow older, around two months, they start venturing out and, for a few more weeks, travel on their mother’s back, clinging to her fur.

A mother opossum with her young on her back

wikimedia.org

 

Curious Facts About Opossums

  1. Name Origin. The word “opossum” is borrowed from the languages of indigenous tribes living in modern-day USA. It derives from the word apasum, which roughly translates to “white animal” or “white dog.”
  2. “Playing Possum” in Different Cultures. The phrase “playing possum” has become idiomatic in many countries, especially in the English-speaking world, and is used as a metaphor for pretending or deception in various contexts — from politics to sports.
  3. Adaptive Tail Function. Opossums have a grasping, prehensile tail that helps them climb trees and even carry grass and branches for temporary nests. However, adult opossums cannot hang by their tails, as often depicted in cartoons — their body weight is too great. Young opossums, however, can briefly hang by their tails during play.
  4. Lifespan. In the wild, the average lifespan of an opossum is 1–2 years, but in safer conditions (such as zoos), they can live up to 4–6 years.
  5. Record Number of Teeth. The opossum (specifically the Virginia opossum, the most well-known species in North America) has 50 teeth — more than any other terrestrial mammal on the continent. This set is adapted to their omnivorous diet and helps them chew both plant and animal foods.
  6. Valuable “Tick Collectors”. Research indicates that a single opossum can eliminate several thousand ticks in a season. By grooming their fur and eating parasites, they help prevent the spread of tick-borne diseases (such as Lyme disease).
  7. Dietary Ingenuity. These animals can eat almost any food: from seeds and eggs to ripe fruits, fungi, and even garbage. Some urban opossums frequently rummage through trash containers, and given access to pet food, they quickly “clean up” bowls.

 

Thus, opossums are far from the simplistic and repulsive creatures described by some 19th-century researchers. They successfully adapt to various conditions, demonstrating agility, resilience, and cunning in their survival strategies.

Yes, these animals may be nocturnal marauders on farms, causing trouble for farmers, but in natural ecosystems, they play a crucial role in controlling the populations of insects and small rodents.

Their amazing ability to “play dead” has not only given rise to a lasting expression in the English language but has also helped thousands of opossums avoid predation by predators and humans.

Familiarizing yourself with these facts can offer a new perspective on opossums and their fascinating, albeit sometimes contradictory, nature. These animals deserve careful and respectful treatment, and their unique evolutionary niche among mammals makes them a remarkable example of the diversity and wonder of life on our planet.

 

Opossum Playing Dead

In the video player, you can enable subtitles and choose their translation to any language in the settings.

 

Mythbusting Opossum Facts

In the video player, you can enable subtitles and choose their translation to any language in the settings.