* 4/12/15 Playing Possum

Opossums are commonly known for 2 things, 1, "playing 'possum' a.k.a. playing dead, and 2, hanging by their tails.

But is the common knowledge that opossums hang by their prehensile tails true, or not? You might be surprised to find that the answer is no, they can't. Baby opossums can, which might be where the myth got started. But even juvenile (young) opossums lack the legendary ability, and adults cannot hang by their tails for more then a second.

What about their second ability, equally famous if not more so? Yes, 'possums do indeed play dead, or "play possum". In fact, after they go into a coma-like state, they excrete a scent that makes them smell like death! Cool act. Till the next post.