Domestic fox purring

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http://cbsu.tc.cornell.edu/ccgr/behav... • • (See domesticated fox video for more information) • • With every litter, genes split up between fox kits. Early on in the experiment, overly-aggressive foxes arose as kin of tame foxes. These foxes were isolated from the main breeding program, but Belyaev decided to conduct a study on aggression and started a second breeding program for aggressive foxes. This fox is genetically aggressive and has not been manhandled in any way throughout its life. • • The stark contrast between the tame stock and the aggressive stock shows the influence of genetics on animal behavior. When isolated and bred selectively, behavioral and even physical traits become quite apparent. • • Edit 4.16.07: I just learned that Belyaev found out that the tameness trait was actually an adrenal response. Within 10 generations of selecting for tameness, foxes had much lower adrenaline levels than their wild counterparts. The neural formation pathway for adrenaline response is linked to a host of other traits, all of which he was now observing after those 10 generations: mottled or white fur color (melonin), droopy or small ears, shortened muzzles, shorter tails. Adrenaline was only one hormone in a collection of many that ended up being effected. • • • Video • • On today's exotic pet market, it is possible to find a red fox that is not red at all, but white. These are not arctic foxes but red foxes with white fur. Belyaev's findings suggest that these foxes have been bred through at least 10 generations of tameness selection. However, this does not mean that these foxes are tame on the same level that dogs are. Foxes make rambunctious pets which can be difficult to handle once they reach maturity. They tend to mark food sites and posessions with malodourous urine and they have a predisposition to dig and chew furniture. (Such foxes are different from the one you see in this video, which has had its genetics gone through at least 30 generations of tameness selection)

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