CHP 'busts' a cute freeway jaywalker

[Liberal_in_LA]

critter that's known for playing dead may have ended up really dead had the California Highway Patrol not come to its rescue.

Passing drivers alerted CHP on Friday to an opossum scurrying about on Interstate-880 near 7th Street in Oakland.

Officer Wood was able to apprehend the jaywalker before it got hit, Officer Sean Wilkenfeld of CHP Oakland told NBC Bay Area.

The suspect was released on its own recognizance in an undisclosed wooded area safely away from the freeway.

http://www.sfgate.com/crime/article/CHP-busts-a-cute-freeway-jaywalker-photo-6368580.php

[Skittles]

1. SO CUTE

the possum isn't bad either

[Ex Lurker]

9. Living in a rural area, I have had some run ins with possums

They will bite the hell out of you if cornered.

[Skittles]

10. when I lived rural, they would pretend to be dead

I used to push them with a broom stick to shoo them away while yelling, I READ ABOUT YOU ON THE INTERNET

[Warpy]

2. Just a baby!

Not quite as cute when they're huge and hissing at you. Harmless. Just not cute.

[PoliticAverse]

3. The only time I ever see an opossum is as roadkill unfortunately. n/t

[Liberal_in_LA]

4. me too

[cwydro]

5. I LOVE possums.

They come and eat on my porch where they are always welcome.

They have extra fresh chicken eggs put out for them. The cats ignore them, but the goose is often irritated with them.

The possums pay no attention to the goose however.

[Renew Deal]

7. I've seen some around.

But like raccoons, almost always at night.

[Snobblevitch]

6. Wow.

Only in California would the highway patrol possibly risk the life of a patrol officer and drivers to save an opossum.

[underahedgerow]

8. Wellll it's more for the safety of the drivers, so that no one swerves to avoid the lil critter

causing a massive pile up and untold mayhem.

At least compassion came into play and he was safely released to live another day.

I love possums, they are very sweet and silly creatures and beneficial for the garden and environment as they eat snails and grubs in the garden. And they're the only marsupial in the continental USA. Not particularly intelligent, but literally almost defenseless. All they can do is stand up and hiss and bare their teefs or roll over and play dead. When they play dead, they emit a nasty, nasty odor!

They carry their young in their pouch and can have over 10 babies at a time!

I had to briefly foster a herd of baby possums a few years ago when their mom died with them in her pouch. Herding 13 baby stinky possums was a challenge! I got them to a proper possum rescue and they were cared for and released into the wild, and it was a very happy ending!

[Skittles]

11. why do you hate California?

because that is nonsense

[Snobblevitch]

12. I don't hate California.

I think it is ridiculous to risk lives over an opossum. I also think anyone who swerves into other cars to avoid hitting an opossum is ignorant. It is even better to hit a deer than to swerve. The ditch or another car is more dangerous than hitting a deer.

[Skittles]

14. you said ONLY IN CALIFORNIA

jeez, no x-ray glasses needed here

ADIOS

[Snobblevitch]

15. Sure, you can certainly quote my post.

What you can't know is whether or not I hate California. Hate is a strong emotion. Not all pejorative comments (or even attempts at humor) equal hate.

[Javaman]

13. Lucky it wasn't rabid...

Always beware of nocturnal creatures wondering around during the day.