Hognose Snake anti-predator thanatosis display part 1

[SkateAbadon]

That makes sense. I have no snakes or frogs where I am in Canada so I don't really know about them much. But from what you're saying they're displaying an almost different kind of response than the possums but similar. Because the possum actually goes into a shock induced kind of coma and is unawair of whats going on while playing dead because its actually unconcious. But these snakes seem to know exactly what they're doing... Same essential effect in the long run, but different mental reaction.

[SkateAbadon]

Though I suppose its not really playing dead its just stunned. and thanatosis is actually a reaction that causes a coma like shock. So you're right the deer isn't really in a state thanatosis. Though it does still show an instantaneous reaction to fear that occurs other than fight or flight.

[SkateAbadon]

So you're suggesting that the deer is not actually displaying Thanatosis? Because to my understanding thanatosis is essentially the instantaneous reaction of shock under extreme stress or danger. I could see how you're saying its confused, but isn't he displaying shock in a case of extreme stress due to the inability to decide between fight or flight?

[FlyFishingNaturalist]

@SkateAbadon Thanatosis is an adaptive behavior. You can flip the Hognose on its belly and will keep trying to roll over on its back to "look dead." It is behaviorally programmed to keep trying to "look dead." The deer or frog on the other hand just freezes. It does nothing, which in itself could be a behavior but in my opinion is more the absence of a behavior. I have stalked many frogs and snakes at night taking advantage of the "deer in headlights" reaction.... continued...

[FlyFishingNaturalist]

@FlyFishingNaturalist .... and you can't do it very well on bright full moon nights... or near a brightly lit parking lot. The animals can see you behind your light and they then know how to react. If something comes between the light and the animal they almost always flee instantaneously. I'm quite certain we are just witnessing the lack of a behavioral response to a very unnatural element- artificial spotlights at night. I could be wrong, but it seems pretty simple to me.

[SkateAbadon]

a youtube viewer by the name of NHusic87 is trying to tell me im a moron for trying to explain to him that fight or flight are not the only responses to danger. Even with the most obvious explanations of the possum playing dead and a deer caught in headlights. lol

[FlyFishingNaturalist]

@SkateAbadon Interesting. Opossums and Hognose Snakes have the same basic strategy for confusing predators by "playing dead"- behavior known as thanatosis. So I would have to agree there is an alternative to "fight or flight." Thanatosis is a survival strategy and it works. The "deer in headlights" is also confusion in my opinion. The deer or frog or snake can't see behind a bright spotlight and doesn't know what to do, but when they recognize danger the fight or flight response is turned on.

[attackdog86]

Fascinating

[TheDRexor]

Great job guys! Was really funny to see!