Why do dead bugs and mice ‘stiffen up’ in specific positions where as other dead animals simply go limp?

Question

Why do dead bugs and mice ‘stiffen up’ in specific positions where as other dead animals simply go limp?

In: Biology

Answer 1

All animals will stiffen up, or go through rigor mortis (I think I spelled it right), because the muscles will contract. Its simply that different animals go through the process at different speeds. You can also slow down rigor mortis, as done in the meat industry. I’m not versed in how it’s done so I won’t go into detail, but that’s the basics.