My dad earned the cb handle of possum chaser,way back in the 70's for picking up possums, that were playing possum, by the tail and putting them in peoples tents and pickups. I've done this myself in recent years and had a laugh or two. When you see a possum just chase it and it will play dead. Pick it up and carry it by the tail and it will continue to play dead until you go away. It doesn't harm the animal any, but it sure surprises whoever finds it zipped in their duffel bag.