Fight or flight, freeze and fright

WHEN FACED WITH A THREAT, most animals can defend themselves or run away fight or flight

- JV CHAMARY

Both actions are potentially reckless because they involve movement, which would reveal a prey’s position to nearby predators, so many creatures will freeze first. But contrary to popular belief, that behaviour isn’t driven by being too frightened to move.

What’s fight-or-flight?

It’s a response to acute short-term) stress triggered by a threat to survival, typically a predator, and prepares the body for immediate fighting or fleeing. Fight-or-flight is best understood in mammals. The brain sends signals telling the adrenal glands to secrete hormones such as epinephrine (popularly known as adrenaline) to cause changes to physiology, such as making the heart pump harder so the blood delivers oxygen and fuel faster. Epinephrine prompts the liver and other organs to convert complex food molecules, such as carbohydrates or fat, into simple sugars that muscle cells can use directly to power speed and strength.

Why do animals freeze?

Because a threat might not be real. If prey jumped at everything that moved, they would waste valuable energy! Freezing allows an animal to gather evidence of possible danger while avoiding detection in case it needs to safely escape.