Opossums are shy, non-aggressive creatures who have the misfortune of scaring people due to their rather odd appearance. They aren't fierce at all. They actually have little ability to defend themselves. They don't run fast or fight well, so their best defense is to try scaring off potential attackers. Their swaying, drooling and hissing routine is a bluff, and if that bizarre behavior doesn't work to scare you, they fall over and play dead. Unfortunately, this bluff routine is often wrongly perceived to be rabies. Opossums are very beneficial animals. They provide free pest control by eating everything people don't like, such as all types of bugs, small snakes, mice and even baby rats.