thanatosis

views updated Jun 27 2018

thanatosis (death feigning) Defensive behaviour in which a prey animal (e.g. an opossum or certain snakes) feigns death. It is usually employed only when escape is impossible. The technique is often effective against predators that kill only living prey. The simulated death posture is maintained for only a short time, after which the animal ‘recovers’.

thanatosis

views updated Jun 08 2018

thanatosis(death feigning) Defensive behaviour in which a prey animal (e.g. an opossum or certain snakes) feigns death. It is usually employed only when escape is impossible. The technique is often effective against predators that kill only living prey. The simulated death posture is maintained for only a short time, after which the animal ‘recovers’.

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