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Unken Reflex or Posture (in CC amphib glossary)

Jan

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Unken Reflex or Posture: A defensive or anti-predatory posture characterized by arching of the salamander’s back, elevated and arched head and tail which displays the animal’s [ventral] surface - often revealing [aposematic coloration] that is normally concealed. To a predator, this sends the message to ‘beware’.
 

Chamaeleo

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I thought I'm gonna share some facts about the origin of this phrase, I think many users haven't heard about it yet.
This phrase was taken from the German "Unkenreflex". The word "Unke" means "firebelly toad" (Bombina spp.), which name imitates their sound ("unk-unk-unk"), and they were the first amphibians where this defensive behaviour was observed at.
(note: the Hungarian name of firebelly toads - "unka" - is originated from German too)
 
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