Abstract
THE curious condition of apparent death, assumed by the English grass snake, which Mr. G. E. Hadow describes (NATURE, December 6, p. 127), is one that I have frequently observed, but have always been puzzled to account for I hardly think that it has anything to do with simulation, or that it is voluntary, since I have seen snakes so affected when quite undisturbed in their cases. I have also observed precisely the same state in the common Italian snake. In my experience the condition only occurs in fairly hot weather, and when the snake has not fed for some time. This seems to point to a species of fainting fit, and I imagine that it is immediately induced by a disturbance of the cerebral circulation.
Article PDF
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
VINCENT, R. The Feigning of Death. Nature 51, 223 (1895). https://doi.org/10.1038/051223f0
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/051223f0
Comments
By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.