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Author: Auxdarastrix

Oct 17th 2011 at 1:00:47 PM

BTW, the idea that snakes hypnotize their prey is a common myth in the real world as well as being a fictional trope.

[[http://oddfactoids.blogspot.com/2009/04/hypnotic-gaze-of-snakes.html See here]] and [[http://www.reptilechannel.com/reptile-blog/russ-case/snake-myths-bizarre.aspx here.]]

''There are two factors that likely contribute to the belief that snakes can hypnotize their prey, and neither has anything to do with a watch being swung back and forth. First is a snake’s lack of eyelids. The resulting unblinking stare gives snakes a bit of a hypnotic aura right off the bat. Second is the tendency of living prey animals to freeze up, possibly in fear, when in close proximity to a snake. Some may run, but not all. Animals that sense danger will often remain motionless, in the hope (assuming animals can hope) that the predator that is approaching or confronting them will not see them if they are not moving. To them, stillness equals invisibility. Combine these two factors -- an unblinking snake staring at an animal that is not moving – and the tableaux seems to illustrate hypnotism at work.''