Opossums are North America’s only pouched mammal. That’s right – females have a pouch just like kangaroos in Australia. These animals can be dated back to the times of the dinosaurs, which is why possums are also called “The living fossils”. They have a relatively big tail used to climb and in to store fat for tough times. Opossums are mostly non-aggressive, but having 50 large teeth and a tendency to drool and hiss, can give a wrong impression on humans.
If fact when threatened an opossum won’t fight, but instead will “play possum”. It means that they try to resemble a dead animal. This is an involuntary action, and not a conscious act. They will wake up in a period from minutes to few hours.
Possums also have another exceptional trait. Their babies are irresistibly cute, just take a look at these rescued baby possums. Part of their rehabilitation consists on snacking a delicious watermelon:
