ANIMAL BEHAVIOR
INTRODUCTION
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Question
[CLICK ON ANY CHOICE TO KNOW THE RIGHT ANSWER]
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the external stimulus of tiredness
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the internal stimulus of illness
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the external stimulus of danger
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the internal stimulus of predators
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Detailed explanation-1: -Many people believe it’s a good act, but according to scientists the possum is actually in tonic immobility or thanatosis, and its body enters a catatonic state in response to fear. “Playing possum” isn’t an act; it’s an involuntary reaction to a threat.
Detailed explanation-2: -Opossums use tonic immobility as a last resort to appear dead and avoid being killed by predators. Their muscles contract and they go rigid and unresponsive.
Detailed explanation-3: -A common defense mechanism is feigning death, or “playing possum, ” when cornered or threatened. Some predators may think the opossum is dead and go away.
Detailed explanation-4: -An opossum playing dead may drool, let its tongue loll from its open mouths, and excrete waste to support the illusion of sudden death. Opossums can maintain this state of thanatosis for several hours until they are certain the danger has passed.