“The Oscar award goes too…”: Snake’s ‘playing dead’ trick when approached goes viral | Watch

In today's digital world, the media is full of viral moments that attract millions to them. Recently, there was one where a pet snake "played dead," an act that many thought was amusing while others felt alarmed. The video, widely circulated on platforms, shows a snake lying still whenever its owner is approaching; people describe it as adorably dramatic.

Pet snake's viral "play dead" trick while playing with owner goes viral

The viral video featuring a pet snake has gone viral on social media, causing many to describe the snake's behaviour as "adorably dramatic." In the clip, the snake is said to "play dead" when its human owner approaches and lies motionless on the floor. The video has gained millions of likes because people find it amusing how the snake reacts dramatically. However, along with these humorous responses, there are some who express concern over this, as the snake might be showing this out of fear or stress rather than just for entertainment.




The video was posted on Instagram by the 'Pubity' account. The video soon became popular on the account. In the caption, the owner relates, "My snake learned how to play dead and now he does it every time I get close to him," a sign that his snake has actually learned to be this way when approaching the human. While some viewers are captivated by the snake's "trick," others are less charmed, considering the possibility that the behavior is a response to distress rather than a form of play.

Social media reactions to the snake's "playing dead" behaviour

While the video depicts the snake's behavior as cute and entertaining, there is a deeper explanation for the "playing dead" act. In the wild, certain species of snakes—and other animals—use this behavior as a survival mechanism when they feel threatened. It is not a learned trick but rather an instinctive response triggered by fear or stress.

Many social media users have indicated that "playing dead" is, in fact, a defence tactic known as thanatosis, wherein an animal is threatened by predators and thus puts up the facade of death through immobility. It becomes an opportunity where such an animal might avoid predators or get devoured without any effort for flight. According to a particular user, "it's not something they 'learned' and it's also not something their parents 'taught' them.

Although many would probably find this activity of the snake to be endearing, its actual underlying nature is the display of survival that could actually denote stress or a sense of being afraid. For the fact that the snake employs this survival action every time a human comes towards it denotes it as probably scared to be with that human. However, many audience members are so amused that one might easily just ignore that an issue could possibly exist; for the snake must be insecurely scared within that environment.

Survival tactic behind "playing dead" in snakes and other animals

This is not the first time an animal has gone viral for displaying "playing dead" behavior. Many animals, especially those in the wild, use this technique when faced with a predator. Playing dead allows animals to avoid further harm as it convinces potential threats that they are no longer a viable target. Snakes rely on this defense mechanism when they cannot escape from a perceived danger.

Animal research suggests that most thanatosis response is from the animals reacting to the threatening environment in which they exist. In cases where animals are under attacks, with little or no available escape route, thanatosis becomes their immediate response. A good example is given by a snake during the video uploaded. As presented, such animals use the technique in an effort to cope with a particular stressful condition.





Also Read | "‘I’m Superwoman”: Alabama woman shatters records with thriving pig kidney after 2 months