The fight or flight response in animals, it could also be called the fright complex because that is what triggers it. People hear about it all their lives, but often still do not really understand what it involves. What exactly is this reaction to fear and how does it work, and is it beneficial or detrimental for most animals?
First, it must be understood that the Fright complex is a better description, because that is what it is, a response to fear. It can be the fear of imminent danger or just fear of losing a meal or a mate, but it is fear and it is the animals response to fear that we are referring to in this space. An animal has a sudden fright and that actually triggers a psychological response which activates the brain to cause a physiological response. The animal will usually respond based upon the nature of the fright, and the response is either to run away or to try aggression, to fight!
The fear response stimulates nerves in the brain which causes a increase in the pituitary gland and that causes adrenal production of hormones. The heart begins to race and blood flow increases. The animal will also start to breath faster and this, along with the blood flow increase causes the muscles to get more energy and oxygen. The brain and senses also heighten. Now the animal is at maximum preparedness to respond, should it flee or fight?
This will depend upon the situation and the reason for the fear. If a large predator has shown up, most animals will flee if possible. If they can’t run away, they will fight, and fight at a much higher efficiency than most will expect. All that blood and nerve stimulation increases reaction time as well as strength of the muscles. If the fear is just of losing food or a mate, the fight of flight response may not be as severe!
Is the response always beneficial? No! Sometimes by moving the animal exposes itself to a predator that might have ignored it. Also, the increase in heart rate and such raise blood pressure, the frightened animal can literally be scared into a heart attack or stroke! Neither of these consequences would be considered beneficial, except by what frightened it!
Fight or flight response it animals, it is a fright response and everything has it, even the human animal!
