Wildshape: Attacks that aren't listed in Beast Shape

[joeyfixit]

Certain animals have "Special Qualities" and abilities that never get listed on the Beast Shape series. Some examples include Swallow Whole, an Ostrich's Crouch ability, and a Wolverine's rage.

Does the Druid never get access to these? Common sense goes both ways on this: a Wolverine's rage seems like a temperamental quality totally inherent to being a Wolverine, and it would be OP to give a druid access to Barbarian's Rage, even in a limited way.

On the other hand the Ostrich's ability to hide seems to rely more on what it looks like - why couldn't a druid do this in an Ostrich body? Likewise, a Tiger Fish's Interlocking Bite has to do with the shape of its mouth, which the druid has presumably inherited.

Is there an FAQ on this?

[Avoron]

As far as I can tell, there are three reasons why a certain ability never gets put on the beast shape list, and none of them has anything to do with flavor:

1. The ability is too powerful, or could be (e.g. swallow whole).

2. The ability is too specific to that creature, and it would be tedious to try to determine whether or not a PC should be able to get it (e.g. ostrich's crouch).

3. Both of the above apply (e.g. wolverine's rage).

Of course, that's just my interpretation.

[ShoulderPatch]

You get what the spell and polymorph rules say you get. Nothing more, nothing less. If an ability isn't listed in one of the spells you generally will not be getting it.

[kestral287]

If it's not on the list, the Druid does not get it. Simple as that.

Reasons are variable and debatable, but Avoron mentioned the obvious possibilities.