A possum's reaction to its reflection in the mirror
An opossum accidentally stumbled upon a mirror among the trash, became frightened, and feigned death.
A clear example of how an opossum feigns death when it senses danger.
This behavior is called thanatosis—a defensive reaction in which the animal enters a state of tonic immobility.
The opossum falls on its side, freezes with its mouth and eyes open, its body temperature drops, and its breathing and heartbeat almost cease.
To convince its enemy of its "death," it even secretes a foul-smelling fluid from its anal glands.
