Possum Question

[WR Moore]

Discovered a possum by our outdoor heat exchangers. Seemed to be playing dead, so took the pooches for a long walk. Still there when we got back, so I removed it. The question is this for those with experience: do possums playing dead display rigor mortis? I assume my GS is now a killer, but my inquiring mind is curious.

 

[mdf9183]

Sounds like he wasn't playing dead he was actually dead, but no they do not display rigor mortis unless they are dead.

 

[Mule Packer]

When they play dead, it's actually a state called "tonic immobility" ...a physiological response to an extremely stressful situation. They don't have any control over it. Sometimes it will last a few minutes, sometimes several hours. Of course, true rigor mortis won't be setting in, but the little critters will sure appear to be dead.

 

[Rudi]

Watch for magots.

 

[Chuck24]

Granny Clampett can give you a recipe.

 

[mckenney99]

A bullet to the head from a 22lr will remove any doubt.

 

[lihpster]

Toss it in the pond. If it's alive, you'll know.

 

[S42N8]

Toss it in the pond. If it's alive, you'll know.

But what if it's a witch possum?

 

[CajunBass]

Lay it out in the road. No one will notice it.

 

[lihpster]

But what if it's a witch possum?

Does it weigh the same as a duck?

 

[Rustyt1953]

Does it weigh the same as a duck?

"Who are you who is wise in the ways of science?"

 

[lihpster]

Wait, are we sure someone didn't just dress up a cat as a possum? Check the nose and hat.

 

[Eric300]

George 'The Possum' Jones. One of the (Late) GREAT ones!

 

[Tom S.]

 

[yaktamer]

The question is this for those with experience: do possums playing dead display rigor mortis?

[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ayFZvxbxWMQ&t=2s[/ame]

 

[S42N8]

Does it weigh the same as a duck?

Probably about a henweigh.

 

[45Smashemflat]

I sense a merging of threads….

"We demand a shrubbery!"

 

[robvious]

it's just a flesh wound...

 

[jeffrefrig]

Possums are actually interesting animals. No need to kill them off, if you don't really have to. I heard they were immune to Rabies? Yeah, possum tail soup is the big bucks cuisine in Hollywood!

 

[charlie sherrill]

These little critters mostly do no harm, unless you have chickens. They eat ticks, snakes, and other pesty things. I have one that steals cat food almost every night. They don't see or hear very well and usually just stand there looking stupid until you get too close. I had one for a pet when I was a kid. He got so fat the bottom fell out of his cage and I never saw him again. One of my neighbors growing up would cook possum and sweet taters. I tried her recipe one time. The sweet taters were OK but the possum was a little greasy. I gave up any future idea of eating them after I saw several of the crawl out of a dead cow.