They’re such funny chewers. Their dentition is composed of a mess of little skewers at the front and they always seem so inconvenienced by the idea of using their molars. Like asking an employee if they have anything in the back.
Oh yeah, I’m not sure how they survive in the wild as the loudest, least efficient chewer in history. I’m guessing they chiefly choose bugs and berries, as they’re a silly little omnivore with a narrow snoot.
All joking aside, opossums have been around for about 70 million years, making them one of the oldest surviving mammal groups on Earth. That’s why they play dead (it’s the oldest survival response, coming from the dorsal vagal pathway of the parasympathetic nervous system).
I’ve seen this strategy piecemeal in people, albeit mostly children. Sloppily eating, smelling like poop, and pretending to be asleep so others will leave them be. Although we can only aspire to the majesty of this little bugger.
5 Comments
Gullible@sh.itjust.works · 10 pts · 25d
They’re such funny chewers. Their dentition is composed of a mess of little skewers at the front and they always seem so inconvenienced by the idea of using their molars. Like asking an employee if they have anything in the back.
ickplant@lemmy.world · 4 pts · 25d
That's hilarious! I didn't know that's why they looked so funny chewing.
Gullible@sh.itjust.works · 4 pts · 25d
Oh yeah, I’m not sure how they survive in the wild as the loudest, least efficient chewer in history. I’m guessing they chiefly choose bugs and berries, as they’re a silly little omnivore with a narrow snoot.
ickplant@lemmy.world · 4 pts · 25d
A narrow snoot I would boop the hell out of!
All joking aside, opossums have been around for about 70 million years, making them one of the oldest surviving mammal groups on Earth. That’s why they play dead (it’s the oldest survival response, coming from the dorsal vagal pathway of the parasympathetic nervous system).
Maybe that’s why they are such primitive chewers.
Gullible@sh.itjust.works · 4 pts · 25d
I’ve seen this strategy piecemeal in people, albeit mostly children. Sloppily eating, smelling like poop, and pretending to be asleep so others will leave them be. Although we can only aspire to the majesty of this little bugger.