Abstract
IN NATURE of December 6, p. 128, Mr. G. E. Hadow asks whether the snakes feign death for protective purposes, with intent to deceive, or whether the strange action is the result of a general nervous inhibition, produced reflexly by the action of fright, which would render it more or less analogous to a fainting fit. He and others of your readers will be interested in an additional observation that, in a measure, answers his question. The snake, a “hognose,” “spreading adder,” or “blowing viper,” Heterodon platyrhinus, upon which Dr. L. C Jones based his note in NATURE, November 29, p. 107, the origin of the discussion, was presented to me about five months ago. While in my possession it has repeatedly verified Dr. Jones's statements; and, besides, it has proved that it does not depend upon the feint alone. The latter is preceded by another action that apparently has not been published hitherto. After being teased a little, the animal, vigorously bending from side to side, the tail abruptly raised and the vent slightly protruded, begins to smear itself over the back with urine and excrement, the odour of which is so excessively nauseous that observers are quickly driven back, the better satisfied if they escape without a spatter in their faces. If the teasing stops with this, the victim glides away to hide; but if still more worried, it takes up the contortions that end in the trance-like condition, lasting ten minutes to half an hour, or until the creature feels that it may safely revive. The specimen still lives, and does not discard its filthy habit on prolonged acquaintance. Much handling and familiarity with annoyance make little difference in behaviour, or in disposition to take advantage of the peculiar tactics. In the inception of the habits these actions most likely were due to terror; possibly the trance was a real faint; but, however their utility may have been discovered, it is evident at the present time that confidence in them as means of securing immunity from torment induces their practice on occasions when the existence of actual fright is hardly possible. At such times it would be difficult to convince witnesses that the snake is not intelligently employing what it knows to be its best methods of protection.
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GARMAN, S. The Suspended Animation of Snakes. Nature 51, 274 (1895). https://doi.org/10.1038/051274b0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/051274b0
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