Book 4, Question 70
Why Do Some Animals Play Dead?
Playing dead is a last trick! Some hunters want a chase. A still animal looks like a meal that has already gone bad. The animal is not pretending for fun. The freeze can be automatic when fear is at its peak.
From the book
Page from A Million Whys Book 4
More fun facts
- Playing dead has a science name: thanatosis.
- Animals from birds to mammals to fish can play dead.
- Playing dead tricks predators that watch for movement.
- Many frogs play dead in some way.
- Animals do not play dead only to avoid being eaten. Scientists have found other reasons too.
Sources: National Geographic, National Geographic
Questions kids ask
Why does playing dead work?
Many predators watch for movement, so a still animal may not look like food.