Death feigning

I am currently clearing my files of a lot of dead wood from the past, and going through the grass snake file (my second biggest after adder), I came across this shot of a snake death feigning. I am posting it more for natural history interest than serious critique.

Grass snakes death feign against predator attack. Given that they smell bad most potential predators will leave a snake alone once they think it is dead. However, after about a minute or two the snake will taste the air to check whether it is able to make an escape, which is what is happening in this shot. A bit of a giveaway if the predator is still around.

David

Nikon D200, 150mm Sigma, 250 ISO, 1/750th @f7.1

Wow, spectacular behavioural image, David. A keeper for sure.

Excellent David!

Certainly different & interesting David, however I will stay this side of the screen if that's OK?

TFS
Steve

David

Now that's interesting and coupled with an excellent image.

Very interesting David i had no idea that Snakes did this.

Keith.

Great behaviour shot David.
Seen it many times but as usual- never with a camera !
JR

WOW!!!!

Nick. TFS

David - not knowing anything at all about snakes, I'd be 100yds away before any snake got to feign death near me ! Interesting action well caught

interesting shot cheers for sharing

Amazing behaviour captured