How do opussum protect themselves and what body part?

Answer 1

The phrase "Playing 'Possum" comes from the opossum's way of protecting themselves. Playing possum means to play dead. A 'possum will lay still in hopes an animal will not attack it since it's dead (many animals won't eat prey unless they catch it alive). While playing dead, a possum will secrete really bad smelling fluid from it's anal glands.