BBC Wildlife Magazine

Fight or flight, freeze and fright

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

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