⚙️ how
How do opossums survive encounters with predators?
AnimalsMammals
Quick Answer
Opossums can play dead, a defensive response called thanatosis, which may make predators lose interest.
The Full Story
When threatened, some opossums respond with a dramatic freeze-and-collapse behavior commonly known as “playing dead.” This is an involuntary stress response rather than conscious acting. The animal may become limp, drool and emit a smell that suggests decay, which can deter predators. It is an effective last-resort defense for a slow-moving nocturnal mammal.
Key Facts
1.The behavior is called thanatosis
2.It is a defensive stress response
3.Some predators avoid seemingly dead prey
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"How does an opossum fake death to survive?"