I dunno... I'm kinda spooked at the idea that it wasn't dead.
Bear; the flies were a good tip off it weren't playing possum. :-) I've seen it a few times, one time Samantha brought one up to the rear door, LSA almost let Sam in with it, but decided the possum should stay outdoors. Turned out the possum was just doing just that. Sam laid it down and it scampered off. But it was limp as a dishrag while Sam was hold it in her mouth.