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(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’.