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+--- Thread: Animals that pretend to be dead (/showthread.php?tid=1702)
Animals that pretend to be dead - Catherine - 10-21-2015
It seems that a number of species of animals pretend to be dead as a defence mechanism. Some are very dramatic about it.
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/2015/10/151019-playing-dead-frog-possum-toad-animals-behavior-science/
I have Hognose snakes and even knowing that they do this does not prepare you for the sight of your snake pretending to die. I came home and found my female on her back dead. I was stunned until I noticed that her tongue was twitching. She was fine and came out of it after I picked her up.
The Hognose snakes are small so it is probably the best way to survive in a world of larger predators.
RE: Animals that pretend to be dead - cathie - 10-22-2015
playing dead is a good defence mechanism, which probably works in the wild.
RE: Animals that pretend to be dead - Catherine - 10-22-2015
I am sure in the wild it does work. That trait in a pet can lead to heart stopping moments. My hognose female, Amy, has done it to me a number of times. I know her species plays dead, so why do I fall for it every time.
