One thing that people know about Virginia Opossum is that She plays dead or “playing possum” as people call it. When confronted with a predator, Virginia Opossum will hiss and squirt a foul-smelling liquid. Then She goes limp, with her eyes shut and tongue hanging out. Usually the attacker loses interest and leaves her alone.
However, there is more to Virginia Opossum than simply “playing possum”. The most ancient of marsupials, She has not only survived the placental mammals coming into her territory, but also expanded her territory from South America to North America. An excellent climber, Virginia Opossum has thumbs on her hind feet to help her grip tree branches. In addition, her prehensile tail is capable of grasping a branch (Contrary to popular folklore, Virginia Opossum cannot hang upside down for long periods of time.)
After their initial encounters, Europeans regarded Virginia Opossum to be ingenious and versatile. In her search for food, She is both. Ranging far and wide, Virginia Opossum eats garbage from dumpsters, dead animals from roadsides, overripe fruit under trees, and rats in nearby homes. Virginia Opossum even eats poisonous snakes without being harmed.
However, Virginia Opossum is also known for her maternal caring. She gives birth to tiny underdeveloped young. Just after birth, her babies (joeys) crawl into her pouch, which faces towards to her rear. When her joeys are ready to come out, they cling to her back until they become adults. When She hunts for food, Virginia Opossum carries her joeys on her back. When they are grown, her joeys leave Her and take up their solitary lives.
Virginia Opossum teaches people to seize opportunities and make them theirs. Instead of having one territory, She wanders around eating what She finds. Because of her activities, some people regard this solitary and nocturnal animal as “nature’s clean-up crew.”
Virginia Opossum’s Teachings Also Include:
“You don’t have to play dead, but do whatever you have to when you feel threatened. There are a lot of variations on that theme.” Copyright: “Power Animals” by Steven Farmer.
“Remember Opossum’s lessons and do not avoid change, embrace it. Do not bear confrontation, manage it, so it becomes a lively exchange of ideas, a way to build a future.” Copyright: “Wolf Song” by Jeanette Spencer and Lew Hartman.
“The medium of the female Opossum has the additional power of caring diligently for early-born vulnerable projects or babies.” Copyright: “The Spirit of Place” by Loren Cruden.
Note: Virginia Opossum is also known as 'Possum. However, Virginia Opossum is not the same as the Possum of Australia. They are different animals with the same name.
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Va. Carper