On the defensive behavior of the grass snake <Emphasis Type="Italic">Natrix natrix</Emphasis> (Linnaeus, 1758)

Demonstrative imitations in the defensive behavior of grass snakes (Natrix natrix) captured in the Galich’ya Gora Reserve (70 ind.) and Kulikovskii Forestry (13 ind.), Lipetsk oblast, have been analyzed using statistical methods. The results suggest that grass snakes can play dead and imitate a venomous snake independently of their sex, age, and experience in receiving injuries. At the same time, there is evidence that such an ability is a hereditary trait subject to natural selection.