You've likely heard the phrase "playing possum" for playing dead, but have you ever actually seen an opossum playing possum? Opossums use playing dead as a defense mechanism. It's involuntary, and the marsupials can't control when or for how long they actually play possum. Our Natural Resources Director Ben Haberthur shot this video at a southern Kane County forest preserve. | Forest Preserve District of Kane County

6.8M views · 424K reactions | A Momma Opossum and her 13 babies in care. She was found emaciated and weak but is improving everyday. The babies are also learning to drink and eat on their own. #marsupial #opossum #tickeaters | Wild West Wildlife Rehabilitation Center | Facebook

Did you know the @nhmla has live animals they care for? There’s a whole @nhmla_liveanimals section I never knew existed. They have a full outdoor space where they take them every day for sunshine and enrichment. #opossum #animals #museum | Nathan The CatLady