possum
Death-feigning marsupial
A possum is any of several marsupials, most commonly the Virginia opossum of North America—a cat-sized creature known for "playing possum," feigning death when threatened.
The spelling possum reflects casual pronunciation of opossum, though in Australia and nearby regions, possum refers to distinct species.
A possum got into the garbage again.
Small flexible bag
- joeyYoung marsupial offspring
- kangarooPouched Australian leaper
- wallabySmall Australian marsupial
- koalaTree-dwelling Australian marsupial
wombat · ringtail · glider · bandicoot · bilby · numbat · quokka · macropod
Small flexible bag
Dark hours between dusk and dawn
- darknessTotal absence of light
- moonlightReflected solar radiance, nocturnal
- twilightLight after sunset
- duskDimming after sundown
crepuscular · den · burrow · owl · nightfall · eyeshine · foraging · prowling
Harmful creature or nag
- nuisanceCause of aggravation
- roadkillVehicle-struck animal remains
- rabiesFatal bite-transmitted encephalitis
- trappingCatching with concealed devices
relocation · coexistence · habitat · suburban · urban · backyard · fence · roof
Gathering discarded or dead material
- foragingSeeking wild food sources
- insectsSix-legged arthropods
- fruitsEdible seed-bearing crops
- berriesSmall fleshy fruits
eggs · snails · grubs · garbage · carrion · petfood · ticks · rodents
Pretending to feel something
- immobilityLack of motion
- catatonicImmobile from mental withdrawal
- limpLacking firmness or rigidity
- droolingSaliva spilling from mouth
stiff · unresponsive · predator · deterrent · involuntary · trance · stillness · foam
pouch
Small flexible bag
koala · wombat · ringtail · glider · bandicoot · bilby · numbat · quokka · macropod · thylacine
pouch
Small flexible bag
nighttime
Dark hours between dusk and dawn
- darknessTotal absence of light
- moonlightReflected solar radiance, nocturnal
- twilightLight after sunset
dusk · crepuscular · den · burrow · owl · nightfall · eyeshine · foraging · prowling · rustling
pest
Harmful creature or nag
- nuisanceCause of aggravation
- roadkillVehicle-struck animal remains
- rabiesFatal bite-transmitted encephalitis
trapping · relocation · coexistence · habitat · suburban · urban · backyard · fence · roof · attic
scavenging
Gathering discarded or dead material
berries · eggs · snails · grubs · garbage · carrion · petfood · ticks · rodents · plants
feigning
Pretending to feel something
- immobilityLack of motion
- catatonicImmobile from mental withdrawal
- limpLacking firmness or rigidity
drooling · stiff · unresponsive · predator · deterrent · involuntary · trance · stillness · foam · tongue
possumhoney badger
Aggressive African mustelid
wolverine · fighting cock · charging bull · porcupine · skunk
- play possumFake death or sleep
- playing possumFaking death defensively
- played possumPretended to be dead