The opossum is a unique marsupial known for its special physiological characteristics and adaptive abilities. Studies of the possum model have focused on its ecological adaptation, social behavior, and immune system, especially its avoidance strategies under threat from predators.
Possums are known for their "suspended animation" response, in which, when confronted by a predator, they are able to quickly enter a comatose state in order to avoid predation. This adaptive mechanism improves the survival rate in nature, and becomes an important object in the study of animal behavior and survival strategy.
In addition, the immune system of possums is also of great value to study. They are surprisingly resistant to certain diseases, such as venomous snake bites and some bacterial infections, so scientists are exploring possums' immune mechanisms with a view to developing new medical treatments.
The possum model is not only important in the fields of ecology and behavior, but also provides a new perspective for biomedical research, revealing how natural selection shapes the survival skills and adaptive strategies of species in specific environments.