There is a lot of discussion in the marsupial world about the possum. Well, that is to say there's a little bit of discussion about it. Actually, it's more like a series of snuffling noises, because marsupials aren't known for their soapbox skills. Anyway, possums: good thing or bad thing? Some people reckon they're ickle and cute, others see them as marauding   terrors (in a nibbling kind of way) who destroy the environment. Unlike big kangaroos, their rough cousins, possums are delicate in stature, weighing in at a relatively ickle 2-3kg. They are often seen hanging around tall trees, or nuzzling the fringes of the bush. Much like some men. The phrase "to play possum" alludes to the fact that the (o)possum falls into an apparent coma when caught, giving the appearance of death, hoping that the hunter will lose interest and leave them alone. Much like some women. MP

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