Naked Science Forum

Life Sciences => Plant Sciences, Zoology & Evolution => Topic started by: EvaH on 16/04/2020 12:05:38

Title: What happens when an animal is decapitated?
Post by: EvaH on 16/04/2020 12:05:38

Peta wants to know:

When a mammal is decapitated does the brain die immediately? Or is there evidence that the frontal lobe in humans still functional and able to understand what has happened? With other mammals, also, would the eyes still be able to see?

What do you think?

Title: Re: What happens when an animal is decapitated?
Post by: evan_au on 16/04/2020 21:54:28

Some rather gruesome experiments were conducted with the cooperation of victims of the guillotine...
This suggests that a person remains conscious for a few seconds after decapitation.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Decapitation#Guillotine

Title: Re: What happens when an animal is decapitated?
Post by: Bored chemist on 16/04/2020 22:07:35

It's likely that the animal would, rapidly, faint, due to loss of blood pressure.