TED-ED: The surprising reasons animals play dead - Tierney Thys

The video explores tonic immobility (TI), a survival tactic where animals feign death to evade predators. Known as 'playing possum,' this behavior is seen in various species, including possums, chickens, and sharks. TI involves physiological changes driven by the parasympathetic nervous system and dopamine. Beyond defense, TI is used in hunting and mating strategies. Humans can induce TI in sharks for research, but it poses risks. Understanding TI in animals offers insights into human responses to fear and stress.

What is the term used to describe the state of immobility that some animals enter as a defense mechanism?

How does the parasympathetic nervous system affect possums when they play dead?

What role does dopamine play in the behavior of flour beetles when they feign death?

Describe how chickens can sense when a predator is near while in a state of catatonia.

What implications does the study of tonic immobility in animals have for understanding human responses to danger?