Today I Learned (TIL)

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TIL scientists stepped on 175 rattlesnakes with a fake leg to see how many would bite. The study found that only 6 bit. The rest just froze or tried to wiggle away. Snakes just want to be left alone. (www.npr.org)

submitted 6 months ago by partybot@lemmy.ca to c/til@lemmy.ca

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[–] stoly@lemmy.world 8 points 6 months ago (2 children)

They aren't worried about what sort of appendage is going towards them. They don't have that level of cognition. I should think that if you piss off a gorilla with a fake leg, that gorilla would understand that it's a fake leg and still be mad at you.

[–] potpotato@lemmy.world 9 points 6 months ago

Theyre pit vipers with heat sensory organs.

[–] Revonult@lemmy.world 3 points 6 months ago

I think the biggest factor is pressure. A person would put their full weight down because they don't know the snake is there. This would probably hurt the snake and warrent a panic/significant response. I doubt the fake foot was applied with the same pressure because ethical reasons.