If confronted, they fall over, start drooling, emit a musky odor that smells like decay, induce diarrhea and slow their breathing so it appears to have stopped,

Much like a fanboy being introduced to a hot babe at Comic-Con.

Quite timely, smitty, we've had one paying occasional visits to our garage. Looking to discourage it but not harm it. forgot we had pet food - sealed by not to THAT nose.

But they don't hang by their tails, according to Leslie Bale, wildlife rehabilitator and president of the Opossum Society of the United States, which has about 300 members. Their tails can't support their weight.

There was an odd noise in my basement a few years ago. When I went to look, a possum was hanging by its tail from a water pipe.

One comes by on rare occasions at night to see if there is any leftover bird seed. Once I said "hi" and it ran away. Opossums are shy. Raccoons are friendlier.

Had some youngsters show up a couple years ago. While the house cats will chase just about anything (birds, lizards, beetles, moths. dragonflies, mice), they just sat and watched the little guys eat out of a bowl of dry cat food -- maybe 'cause they moved so slowly.

ZAZ: One comes by on rare occasions at night to see if there is any leftover bird seed. Once I said "hi" and it ran away. Opossums are shy. Raccoons are friendlier.

I stopped putting bird seed out when the opossum and racoon in my back yard started working together. One would climb the pole and knock seed down for the other. Then they would swap.

The squirrels I can deal with. But I threw in the towel in the face of inter-species cooperation.

Truths about opossums

If you see one that looks dead, make certain that it's actually dead before you try to fark it. They have really sharp teeth.

My Oldest brother had a pet Opossum which he adored. Those things are ugly, smell bad, and have a lousy disposition. The possum and my brother loved each other because that shared those qualities in spades!

I havent read the entire thread but it should also be noted that Possums are quite tasty. If it has been noted carry on if not they are.

/Hungry now

"...they fall over, start drooling, emit a musky odor that smells like decay, induce diarrhea and slow their breathing so it appears to have stopped,"

Sounds like my ex-husband.

Jake Havechek: There used to be an albino skunk in Allston, MA, but I'm sure it's dead by now.

A hipster or frat boy probably tried to capture it for a pet

Who said opossums aren't cute? (^)

sprag: Sin_City_Superhero: Truths about opossums

If you see one that looks dead, make certain that it's actually dead before you try to fark it. They have really sharp teeth.

I'm no expert, but I'm pretty sure that's the wrong end.

Don't judge me.

CSB: Years ago I used to work in a small office with a somewhat exciteable older woman. One day she came in to work terribly upset - there was a wildebeest in her back yard! Seriously, that's what she said. Pressed for details she explained that when she went out in her yard to feed the birds there was this huge creature that hissed and growled at her. She'd never seen such an animal in Eastpointe (MI) before - it must have been an escaped wildebeest! Based on her description of the animal I and another co-worker assured her that it was probably an opossum. No, no it was much too big to be a 'possum, plus it hissed! It growled! I ended up calling the veterinarian at the Detroit Zoo to confirm (for this lady's peace of mind) that pregnant female opossums can appear to be quite large indeed. I shared this story at home that night for a laugh and forgot about it.

The next morning we received a fax on State of Michigan letterhead from the Department of Natural Resources. It warned that there had been sightings of wildebeests in some eastern suburbs of Detroit and that residents should be on the lookout. Co-worker was trimphant with her "I told you so's" until I looked at the sender's fax number in the margin. It had come from my brother's office, where he had apparently had a little cut-and-paste fun with Michigan government letterhead.

Last year we watched one scrape up dry grass into a ball, wrap her tail around it, and walk off. If I could have a few more do that I'd never have to rake the yard again! : )