Friday, October 26, 2007





Domesticated Foxes- Cute and Cuddly!



When we think about dogs we call to mind the hundreds of unique breeds. However, although physically and behaviorally different, all dogs share the trait of tameness. Before breeds were seperated out from a common ancestor, that ancestor was separated out from its species based on its tolerance of humans.


Russian geneticist Dmitry K. Belyaev wondered how quickly this could occur, and what side effects there would be for selecting for tameness in a population of foxes. The foxes he used to start the experiment were Vulpes vulpes, or silver foxes, from a fur farm. Living in cages these foxes were already more domesticated than their relatives living in the wild.


Each generation the researchers selected the foxes that were most tolerant and friendly towards humans to breed. After nearly 50 years of this selection process and the breeding of over 45,000 foxes, Belyaev's method produced friendly, people-loving vulpines. They can be trained, love attention, and act submissively towards humans. The most interesting thing is the physical changes that accompanied their behavior. The foxes' fur lightened in places giving it a border-collie like "star" on its face,whiter legs and bellies, and mottled fur. Also some foxes have floppy ears and curled tails, another trait commonly associated with canine domestication.








-Alexandra Sprague

here is the article.

5 Comments:

At 3:38 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Dear Alexandra,
This was an really interesting article to write on. The fact that foxes can be domesticated is incredible. I wonder if that is true of all animals, and if not, how is a species tolerence to humans measured? This also made me wonder if this kind of experiment has been performed on any other animals. I think its strange that this subserviant behavior can also be attached to physical characteristics. This was a good article choice, great job!

Posted by: Emily King

 
At 4:21 PM, Blogger PWH said...

Interesting subject. I liked that you included a picture. I find it very interesting that you can breed the wild out of a species. Good job. The only thing that I would change is that right before your name it must say, posted by. Good job!

Posted by: Scotty Fay

 
At 5:59 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

It does not surprise me that foxes can be bred to be more tame around humans. They are a canine like any other. I do think it is pretty neat however that when selected for tameness the foxes also changed so dramatically in appearance. They almost look like normal dogs in the picture. I wonder where I can get a vulpe...

Posted by: Ben Tummino

 
At 8:23 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Wow great subject! I agree with the other comments that the picture makes your blog. The idea that foxes can be bred for tameness is very interesting to me. It's something that I've never given much thought to before. The coolest part of the article is how the foxes physical appearance changed. Job well done!

Posted By: Caitlin Sanders

 
At 7:55 AM, Blogger Dave Sokolowski said...

If we can breed foxes to be tame...what is there to stop other animals from being bred into submission? Can you imagine having miniature bears and lion cubs as pets? Maybe they would even take on more 'cute' appearances...

 

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