garter snakes

In the spring, when female red-sided garter snakes emerge from hibernation, a writhing mass of up to a hundred males will pounce on them. To avoid suffocation, females flee to more relaxed surroundings, says BBC Wildlife. "But if an eager male gives chase, the female may resort to a cunning plan worthy of a cops and robbers high-speed pursuit. She first slithers off, then turns aside and suddenly stops dead. The male is fooled, chasing off in the original direction and passing the female, who is lying motionless to one side."