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Why do some animals play dead?

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Some animals plays dead, just to catch attention of their owner or just to ignore their commands. It's most commonly seen by the dogs. There are even lots of videos avilable in youtube where dogs play dead just to avoid their owner request or to get their attention.
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Most of the time animals play dead for their defence,to hide from predators or to trick predators.

Sometimes they appear dead due to shock caused by incidence which provides rest for animal.
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When faced with a hazardous situation, an animal may appear dead and even exclude smells that resemble the stench of decomposing flesh. "Thanatosis" or the act of pretending to be dead, is widely used by animals as a kind of sexual reproduction and a defense mechanism. 
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yes some animals play dead to just take attentions of the persons like sometimes my cat does this but it only does for taking attention
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It is called tonic immobility. It is done from birds to mammals, fishes etc. It is self defense mechanisms to get rid of enemies and from foul circumstances. 
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Some animals play dead as a survival tactic when threatened. This behavior can trick predators into thinking their prey is no longer a threat.
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Some animals plays dead, just to catch attention of their owner or just to ignore their commands. It's most commonly seen by the dogs.
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Yes, many animals exhibit a behavior commonly known as "playing dead" or "playing possum." This behavior, technically called "death feigning" or "tonic immobility," is a defensive mechanism used by some animals to avoid predation.

Here are a few examples of animals that are known to play dead:

1. **Opossums:**

   - Opossums are well-known for playing dead when threatened. They may fall limp, exhibit a glazed stare, and emit a foul-smelling liquid to further discourage predators.

2. **Snakes:**

   - Some snake species, such as the hognose snake, are known to play dead when confronted by a threat. They may flip onto their backs, open their mouths, and release a foul odor.

3. **Insects:**

   - Certain insects, like beetles and ants, may play dead when threatened. This behavior can be a response to predators, providing a momentary distraction or causing the predator to lose interest.

4. **Fish:**

   - Some fish, like the European perch, have been observed playing dead as a defense mechanism. They may float upside down and appear lifeless when faced with a threat.

5. **Decoy Building:**

   - Some animals, like the decorator crab, create and carry debris or other animals to use as a form of camouflage. In some cases, they may drop these items and play dead as a way to escape predation.

It's important to note that "playing dead" is a form of instinctual behavior, and animals that exhibit this response are often using it as a last resort when other defensive strategies fail. While playing dead can be an effective survival strategy, it is not always a foolproof method, and the success of this behavior depends on the predator's response.
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