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If an opossum or raccoon has been getting into the trash on a regular basis, preventing access to the food source will entice the animalto move on in a few days. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". While these theories are not conclusively proven, they do provide some interesting insight into possum behavior. The Humane Society of the United States is registered as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. The Surprising Truth Revealed! They are omnivores and eat both plants and animals. A small possum about the length of a football is walking in long circles in my front yard (about 8 feet in diameter). Possums may benefit from their behavior as it is likely an evolutionary advantage, allowing them to better survive in the wild. Fish and Wildlife Service This is real, although the opossum is not playing, which suggests there is some intent at work. Why would a opossum be out during the day? This behavior is believed to be an attempt to confuse predators and make it harder for them to catch their prey. It is sometimes hard to decide whether an opossum seems out of sorts, because their normal behavior is so slow and odd. Tab will move on to the next part of the site rather than go through menu items. Study now. If a predator grabs and shakes the opossum, the opossum will feign death while defecating and emitting a foul-smelling greenish substance from its anal glands. Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. But most scientists now agree that a conked-out opossum really is out, involuntarily cast by its fear-stricken nervous system into a catatonic state. Its also possible that the possum is attempting to mark its territory, as walking in circles is an instinctive way to delineate the area where it feels safe and secure. Unable to stand or move without falling over. Updated: Sep 21, 2021 / 10:30 PM CDT HAWLEY, Texas A video of a possum walking itself in slow circles near a busy Abilene street quickly snagged the attention of The pests have many predators and will seek safety at the first sign of a threat. Their behavior may also help them explore their environment and better understand what it has to offer. When threatened, an opossum will first face the predator with its mouth open and hiss or growl. Marsupialsmammals that carry and nurse their young in pouchesare absent from much of the world, and in Canada and the United States opossums are the sole representatives of the group. Opossums get a bum rap. They are often accused of killing chickens, something that happens very rarely. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent. It is also important to know that possums can be dangerous to humans, so it is best to be cautious when in contact with them. It is possible that it is trying to confuse potential predators or mark its territory, but it is also possible that it is just trying to explore its environment. The origin of the myth of possums walking in circles has been a mystery for centuries. If a possum is trying to find a mate, it could be using circular motions to cover more ground. WebIn the early stages (days to weeks) watch for a loss of grip in the hands or feet, tremors, twitching, decreased activity, sleeping more, uncoordinated gait, and a decreased appetite. When it comes to possum behavior, there is a lot to be explored and understood. People often mistake the open-mouth hissing and drooling behavior of opossums as a sign of rabies. If opossum has made itself at home in your home, check during the day to find where the opossum is gaining access.