Do possums spray for self defense?

Answer 1

Possums do not spray as a form of self-defense like some other animals. Instead, they rely on a behavior known as "playing dead" or thanatosis, where they mimic the appearance and smell of a sick or dead animal to deter predators. While they can also emit a foul-smelling odor from their glands when threatened, this is not the same as spraying; it is more of a defensive mechanism to make themselves less appealing to attackers.