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thanatosis
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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Cite this article
MICHAEL ALLABY. "thanatosis." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. 1 Jun. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. MICHAEL ALLABY. "thanatosis." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. (June 1, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O8-thanatosis.html MICHAEL ALLABY. "thanatosis." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Retrieved June 01, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O8-thanatosis.html |
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thanatosis
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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Cite this article
MICHAEL ALLABY. "thanatosis." A Dictionary of Ecology. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. 1 Jun. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. MICHAEL ALLABY. "thanatosis." A Dictionary of Ecology. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. (June 1, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O14-thanatosis.html MICHAEL ALLABY. "thanatosis." A Dictionary of Ecology. 2004. Retrieved June 01, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O14-thanatosis.html |
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