34 Nebraskaland • January-February 2024
W
ith a nearly hairless, scaly tail, a mouth full of
teeth, the ability to "play dead" and its overall
I-don't-give-a-dang attitude, the opossum might
be one of the most unique mammals waddling throughout
Nebraska.
Opossums are Marsupials
The Virginia opossum is a marsupial. When many of us
think of marsupials, we picture a kangaroo jumping with a
joey in the front pouch. However, there are quite a few other
species that bear the name marsupial, including wombats,
koalas and opossums. Being a marsupial simply means that
females have a pouch, and the underdeveloped young must
spend time in this pouch to complete development.
Once born, the off spring immediately seeks the mother's
pouch. When compared to a kangaroo, the pouch of an
opossum is quite small, so small it would be diffi cult for the
casual observer to spot. Young will not leave this pouch until
they reach maturity. When siblings grow too large to fi t in the
mother's pouch, they cling to the mother's back, where she
will carry them until they are able to venture on their own.
Playing Opossum
Opossums play dead, we know, but a lot of misinformation
is out there on how and why they do this. Opossums do not
engage in this behavior when they feel threatened.
They typically "play opossum" in situations when they
are caught unaware or suddenly attacked. The animal drops
to the ground in an instant and closes its eyes or stares off
into space. Its body goes limp, its breathing slows down
drastically, it discharges its bowels, and it sticks out its
tongue and drools. By all means, it appears to be dead.
This defense tactic is supposed to confuse predators and
allow the animal to escape.
While worthy of an Oscar, this is not an act. These animals
are going through a process called thanatosis: when the
body enters a catatonic state in response to fear, and it's all
involuntary. During this time, the animal doesn't feel any
pain and has no refl exes. The animal will not respond no
matter what the predator does.
Most predators will give up on an opossum once they
believe it has died. Scientists believe this is an evolutionary
Nebraska's
Only
Marsupial
By Monica Macoubrie,
Wildlife Education Specialist
