Abstract
IN connection with Dr. L. C. Jones' account last week of the Puffing Adder that feigned death, it may be of interest to note that on several occasions I have observed similar behaviour on the part of the English grass-snake (Coluber natrix). On finding escape impossible the animal would roll slightly over, with its mouth open to its widest extent, and its tongue protruded, and remain perfectly limp and flaccid, allowing itself to be stroked, moved, and even carried in the hand with the head and tail dangling down on opposite sides, without showing any signs of animation. So sudden is the change from activity to quiescence, and so admirable the imitation of lifelessness that it presents, that on the first occasion on which I witnessed it (now many years ago), I believed the snake to have been seized by some species of fit, and to be at the point of death until, in the faint hope of alleviating its seemingly desperate condition, I plunged it into some cold water, with the happy result of effecting its immediate restoration, the snake possibly thinking its ruse had been successful, and it was once more free. I have known cases, however, in which the symptoms have persisted after the application of the cold-water cure. Subsequently I discovered that no treatment of any kind was necessary, as the snake would “come to” of its own accord after a while.
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HADOW, G. Snakes “Playing 'Possum”. Nature 51, 128 (1894). https://doi.org/10.1038/051128a0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/051128a0
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