Do wild animals actually ignore you when you play dead?

Yeah, that'll work...

In most situations this is likely to make you more vulnerable. Canines for example might get curious and approach a prone human and this could be enough in the wrong circumstances to provoke an attack.

There are some animals that tend to avoid carrion and since we don't smell familiar anyway, being motionless may make us seem less like something to eat.

The problem with this strategy is that you're giving away every advantage you have and simply putting yourself in nature's hands. Better to understand the animals that inhabit your region (or the place you're visiting) and learn the appropriate species-specific response for each animal.

• Is it possible to train a bear humanely, like a dog?
• What should I do when confronted by a coyote?
• What are some amazing things made by animals?