Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Trapping Rigor mortis question and beavers

Those that trap beavers with a drowning set, do you find the beavers get rigor mortis when submerged in colder water?

In my experience, all living beings pass thru a stage of rigor mortis at death...then it passes.

Yep, rigor and then ripped. Otters seem to love to dive inside via the neck and suck the vittles out. Plays havoc on the hide when they do.

Yep, rigor and then ripped. Otters seem to love to dive inside via the neck and suck the vittles out. Plays havoc on the hide when they do.

All animals go through rigor mortis. It's caused by the break down of the "sack" that contains the chemicals for muscle contraction.

Another words, rigor is one big muscle contraction. Once the chemicals break down the body is free to move again.

Rigor comes and goes as stated. Mediated by sarcolactic acid. Depends on age, temp. (which makes your question a good one), muscle condition and exertion. Most chem reactions go slower when colder.

Edit, with apology for some-what crude comment ...
Thought I was still on the 'Campfire' forum.