Nature is difficult to understand sometimes since there are animal species with weird skills and specialties. There are a few animals that can survive without their heads due to a unique combination of factors, including their physical makeup and the function of their nervous systems. However, it’s worth noting that most animals cannot survive without their heads, as the brainstem plays a crucial role in regulating basic body functions such as breathing and heartbeat. Let’s take a look at 5 animals that continue to live even their heads cut off. This might be a good caution to keep you safe in case you meet a body-less snake or turtles.
Chicken
It may sound unbelievable, but it is true – chickens can actually live for a short period of time without their heads. This phenomenon is not just a myth, but has been documented and observed by many scientists and researchers. When a chicken’s head is cut off, its brain is also removed, which means that the chicken is technically dead. However, in some cases, the chicken’s brain stem, which is responsible for controlling important bodily functions like breathing and heart rate, can remain intact. This allows the chicken to continue living, albeit for only a short period of time.
Cockroach
The thing is that cockroaches can survive without their heads for several days up to weeks. Their blood doesn’t circulate quickly even after the head is cut off. Also, cockroaches have ample time to seal off the wound which results in headless life.
Snakes
Oh, yes these dangerous animals can still harm you even when their heads are cut off. After decapitation, snake’s head can still bite, inject venom, and causes injuries. The fella is biting his own body as you can see. Just stay out away from snake’s head when you see one, just in case.
Snapping Turtles
They are fighters. So even if their heads are the only body part they have, they still strike and defend themselves for hours. Snapping turtles have sharp beaks that can cause great injuries, and they still can attack without their bodies.
Flies
No matter how they lost their heads, flies can still walk and fly for days and weeks. A fly’s brain is in their back which means they can continue to live. Fly absorbs oxygen through their skin, and they live for days until they starve to death.
