playing dead

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playing dead

animal behavior

Also known as: playing possum

Learn about this topic in these articles:

fire ants

In fire ant
… are not yet fully developed, play dead.
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opossums

In opossum: The Virginia opossum
…feign death—hence the expression “playing possum.” The animal also possesses a protein in its blood called lethal toxin-neutralizing factor (LTNF), which has been shown to detoxify a wide variety of poisons, including the venom produced by snakes, bees, and scorpions. The flesh of the Virginia opossum was once enjoyed…
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