the casting off of a limb or other part of the body by an animal under threat, such as a lizard

1. in animal behavior, the spontaneous casting off of a body part. For example, an iguana sheds its tail to escape from a predator. 2. In humans, self-mutilation or the cutting off of body parts.

 also called “autospasy”, this is the act of a spider voluntarily amputating, or dropping off, its own leg(s) in response to a dangerous situation in order to help free itself. Dangerous situations include being grabbed or caught by something, maybe a predator, as well as having a limb get stuck during the process of molting. For example, spiders o [..]

(n) spontaneous removal or casting off of a body part (as the tail of a lizard or claw of a lobster) especially when the organism is injured or under attack

an adaptation that makes it possible for an animal to rapidly lose an appendage, such as a tail or leg, in order to elude a predator's grasp by sacrificing a non-essential body part. The lost app [..]

The voluntary shedding of the body parts of animals, usually in defense. Autotomy of the tail is common in many lizards.

Tail-loss, spontaneously or by reflex, often used as an escape mechanism.

An animals capability of shedding a limb to escape the clutch of a predator.