(At some of my shows I’ve heard customers refer to it as a rat- imagine!). I have nothing against rats, but it’s hard for me to see the resemblance.

The ability of a possum to play like its dead is not unique to this animal. Apparently there are fox, African squirrels and snakes that do this as well. I’ve heard about the snakes playing dead, but not any other mammal.

The way it works is the possum, being backed into a corner by something like a dog will at first hiss and growl. If the dog grabs it, the body will go limp, the tongue will stick out and the eyes may shut. The dog usually loses interest at this point and drops the possum. Pretty good ploy!

Sometimes the possum is described as being “rat like” but that may just be because of the naked pink tail. Also, they have those little round ears. To me, they look nothing like a rat, and indeed are in not the vaguest way related, being marsupial animals.

I would gladly wear a 14k gold possum pin for a nice night out on the town, if only to look at the expression on the faces of everyone around who aren’t “in the know.”

 

Go here to see other 14k gold wildlife pins gifts such as the impressive gold bat pin.