Very upclose view of a possum waking up after its playing dead defense. Skip to

[@andreaberryman5354]

Nothing is more entertaining than reality. Poor sweeetie SO scared. 😢 Can anyone BLAME it?! 😂❤ Thank you SO much for showing everyone because WHAT a talent to not even have to BLINK?! 😮 W O W...

[@TheNightlessStar]

Glad you enjoyed it ❤️

[@pawwalker3492]

Playing possum isn’t an act; it’s an involuntary reaction to a threat. Its body enters a catatonic state in response to fear. I was going into our garage one night and this little possum was just coming out. I scared the poor thing so bad, it took a few wobbly step and fell right over. Released its stinky gland - the works. Stayed that way for over a half hour, poor thing. Possums are really cute and very good to have around - they rarely contract rabies, and eat TICKS!!! I give them biscotti smeared with peanut butter ❣

[@alliexd6999]

I've watched an echidna slowly come out of its ball and start eating and this video had the same vibes. Nature is so cool :)

[@TheNightlessStar]

I agree!

[@RobwithoneB]

This is an awesome video. Watching him SLOWLY pick his head up was really funny to me for some reason. Here before it inevitably blows up

[@TheNightlessStar]

"Is he still there??" 😂

[@valariesrisingsun7937]

Her cute little feet! She's so cute!

[@Sare204]

literally me waking up in the morning...

[@TheNightlessStar]

😂

[@martabachynsky8545]

An interesting fact is that they're not playing. They actually "faint"/go into shock or something like that (too early in the morning for me to look up the term). The heart rate slows down, the body releases a stench and other things to make it seem as if they're dead. I've never understood how this defense mechanism works, because I would think that a lot of predators would just eat it as "free food". Cool video. 💖

[@pawwalker3492]

Right! They become _catatonic,_ and can stay that way for quite a while. I'm sure there's been instances when a predator DOES snatch the "body", but usually this works in the possum's favor 😍

[@martabachynsky8545]

@@pawwalker3492 Catatonic; thanks. That's the word I was thinking of. That shows the difference between early morning and early evening for me (I'm usually groggy until mid-morning).

[@pawwalker3492]

@@martabachynsky8545 - know exactly what you're talking about ... I may _get_ up in the early morning, but I DO NOT _wake_ up for a few more hours 😸

[@martabachynsky8545]

@@pawwalker3492 😀😉

[@TheNightlessStar]

Skip to 2:23 to see it get up

[@jordanholstein8023]

I don’t think they can control this response

[@TheNightlessStar]

No, it's a chemical reaction in the brain from what I understand.

[@sabrinasworldofASMR]

so cute and i love the feet

[@alouluna]

Hope he will live long...

[@jessehartmemes]

Cool

[@hmoney123]

This is cool thanks for sharing

[@TheNightlessStar]

For sure! I'm glad people are enjoying it!