Editing Opossum (section)

=== Behavior ===
[[File:Opossum2.jpg|left|thumb|Virginia opossum [[apparent death|feigning death]], or "playing possum"]]

Opossums are usually solitary and nomadic, staying in one area as long as food and water are easily available. Some families will group together in ready-made burrows or even under houses. Though they will temporarily occupy abandoned burrows, they do not dig or put much effort into building their own. As nocturnal animals, they favor dark, secure areas. These areas may be below ground or above.<ref>{{cite journal|author=Hamilton, W. J. Jr. |year=1958|title= Life history and economic relations of the opossum (''Didelphis marsupialis virginiana'') in New York State|journal= Cornell Univ. Agric. Exp. Sta. Memoirs |volume=354|pages=1–48}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://wdfw.wa.gov/living/opossums.html|title=Opossums – Living with Wildlife {{!}} Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife|website=wdfw.wa.gov|access-date=2017-05-14}}</ref>

[[File:Baby opossum.jpg|right|thumb|Juvenile Virginia opossum hissing defensively]]
When threatened or harmed, they will "[[Apparent death|play possum]]", mimicking the appearance and smell of a sick or dead animal. This physiological response is involuntary (like fainting), rather than a conscious act.  In the case of baby opossums, however, the brain does not always react this way at the appropriate moment, and therefore they often fail to "play dead" when threatened. When an opossum is "playing possum", the animal's lips are drawn back, the teeth are bared, saliva foams around the mouth, the eyes close or half-close, and a foul-smelling fluid is secreted from the [[anal glands]]. The stiff, curled form can be prodded, turned over, and even carried away without reaction. The animal will typically regain consciousness after a period of a few minutes to four hours, a process that begins with a slight twitching of the ears.<ref>[http://www.opossumsocietyus.org/injured_opossum.html Found an Orphaned or injured Opossum?]. Opossumsocietyus.org. Retrieved on 2012-05-03.</ref>

Some species of opossums have [[prehensile tail]]s, although dangling by the tail is more common among juveniles. An opossum may also use its tail as a brace and a fifth limb when climbing. The tail is occasionally used as a grip to carry bunches of leaves or bedding materials to the nest.<ref name="GonzálezClaramunt2000">{{cite journal|last1=González|first1=E.M.|last2=Claramunt|first2=S.|title=Behaviors of captive short-tailed Opossums, ''Monodelphis dimidiata'' (Wagner, 1847) (Didelphimorphia, Didelphidae)|journal=Mammalia|volume=64|issue=3|year=2000|pages=271–286 |doi=10.1515/mamm.2000.64.3.271|s2cid=84782113}}</ref> A mother will sometimes carry her young upon her back, where they will cling tightly even when she is climbing or running.

Threatened opossums (especially males) will growl deeply, raising their pitch as the threat becomes more urgent. Males make a clicking "smack" noise out of the side of their mouths as they wander in search of a mate, and females will sometimes repeat the sound in return. When separated or distressed, baby opossums will make a sneezing noise to signal their mother.  The mother in return makes a clicking sound and waits for the baby to find her. If threatened, the baby will open its mouth and quietly hiss until the threat is gone.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Opossum Sounds & Noises: What Do Opossums Sound Like?|url=https://www.crittercontrol.com/wildlife/opossums/opossum-noises|access-date=2022-01-24|website=www.crittercontrol.com}}</ref>