[xkQCaS4w]

My imagination (ie search terms) has failed me.

I need to be able to describe why wild animals (and even domestic animals) are very likely to hide illnesses and injuries.

I know it's true. I know why. I know a few informal ways of describing it - "birds are masters of disguise" and that kind of stuff.

What I don't know is if there is a term that covers the concept.

I hope there is.

Anyone know what it might be?

[LINETFAD]

I suppose it might be covered by pursuit-deterrent signals in ethology. I was thinking at first of dishonest signalling, but that probably applies only to cases of sexual selection.

[xkQCaS4w]

Does that mean it's not an area of study generally? And is that because it's so well known no one bothers or because it's never actually been confirmed?

[xkQCaS4w]

the other place this kind of signalling occurs in packs where senior animals don't want to lose status, weakness leading to challenge by up and coming animals.

I goggled your term and read the wiki link which was useful.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Animal_communication

Perhaps because the underlying behaviour (hide all weakness) has intra- and inter species meanings that it's never been categorised or considered as one thing?

[LINETFAD]

I don't know all that much about ethology, I'm afraid*. I think it might be one of those areas where it's difficult to design a decent study. There's still a lot of discussion (some quite lively) about pursuit deterrent behaviours that seem to be quite well-defined --- like pronking/stotting in springboks and other gazelles.

_______

* But I could make something up. Probably wouldn't be anywhere near as wild and wonderful as the truth, though.

[daguy]

Isn't it either a prey species exhibiting a fear response which overrides pain, injury, sickness (categorise under predation avoidance) - whereas in the case of other species it may be more related to deceptive signalling in mate selection or trying to maintain higher social status in social animals. ...

[xkQCaS4w]

The same technique being used for different purposes? That could be the way it is more usually conceptualised.

It's not the flight / freeze response I am thinking of.

[viiagrag]

Interesting topic. I've noticed that fish will target an injured tankmate given that they'll likely win.