Word of the Day - Thanatosis

[debodun]

Thanatosis (noun) - a state that resembles shock characterized by cessation of all voluntary activity and usually by assumption of a posture suggestive of death.

Opossums are noted for their use of thanatosis to escape predators.

 

[Murrmurr]

Thanatosis (noun) - a state that resembles shock characterized by cessation of all voluntary activity and usually by assumption of a posture suggestive of death.

Opossums are noted for their use of thanatosis to escape predators.

Ergo, the term Playing Possum. There are actually bugs that play possum to deter predators that only prey on live bugs.

I recently learned that thanatosis has been observed in some insect species.

 

[debodun]

Here's a lizard that does it, too:

 

[Murrmurr]

Here's a lizard that does it, too:

Nature's strategy; If you can't look big, look dead.

 

[ohioboy]

William Cullen Bryant wrote a poem titled Thanatopsis on the same order as Thanatosis.

 

[Kaila]

Guinea pigs do thanatosis, as well!