Belyaev Experiment: Aggressive Foxes
Back(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.
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)
Channel: Pets & Animals
Uploaded: January 26, 2007 at 10:31 pm
Author: ZacharyB
Length: 00:02:06
Rating: 4.24
Views: 7115
Tags: belyaev experiment tame taming aggression aggressive stock psychology genetics genes gene behavior behavioral fox foxes
Video Comments:
acute90994 (November 21, 2008 at 3:43 pm)
Actually they are now selling the culls of the docile group as pets in Russia as they are much more valuable as pets then as fur.
acute90994 (November 21, 2008 at 3:33 pm)
Have you see the other experiment by Belyaev? That group of foxes is housed in the exact same type of cage, but since they were selected for tameness they practically were trying to crawl into the researcher's pockets. They had the same "I love you I love you I want to play with you" body language of a super-friendly dog. And yet they were housed in the same small wire cage. Cage size in this case has nothing to do with it.
FireRupee (September 7, 2008 at 2:13 pm)
So what, some people have a tendency towards drunkenness? That'd be pretty hard without alcohol.
And I think you should look into this study more. I mean you may have already, but if you haven't, you should. Keep in mind the conditions under which and the time in which Belyaev conducted the experiment, too.
And I think you should look into this study more. I mean you may have already, but if you haven't, you should. Keep in mind the conditions under which and the time in which Belyaev conducted the experiment, too.
FireRupee (September 7, 2008 at 2:10 pm)
So was that a video clip splice at 1:27?
And I so want a tame fox.
And I so want a tame fox.
tanatribe (August 17, 2008 at 9:53 am)
google tame silver fox you'll find info on this experiments aims
tanatribe (August 16, 2008 at 8:20 am)
sorry i dont understand the point of this experiment, who benifiting here? the furiors?
tobewithyouhoo (August 16, 2008 at 2:32 pm)
I do not know at all.
I wiped out your post by accident it had a Burnell u atachment with it. Are you studying at the university?
I wiped out your post by accident it had a Burnell u atachment with it. Are you studying at the university?
tanatribe (August 17, 2008 at 9:51 am)
are you asking me that?
acute90994 (November 21, 2008 at 3:35 pm)
Dogs and other domestic animals actually, by explaining the process of domestication and how it affects not only behavior, but also physical development.
Are these friendly friends foxes able to fend for themselves in the wild?
Why indeed, does the experiment need to continue?
Do we need "more" nature to depend on men?
I do love my two Border Collies.