The Mowgli story we grew up with may not be entirely based on fiction as scientists have discovered that wolves can show an affinity for humans.
Researchers at the University of Stockholm in Sweden tested 10 wolves and 12 dogs to investigate their strange and disturbing behavior. situations.
Wolves show affection by coming closer and spending more time with the caregiver they know best; This is a finding that contradicts the notion that dogs’ devotion to humans did not develop after they were domesticated by humans.
Lead author Dr. “Dogs are known to have originated at least 15,000 years ago, when gray wolves and dogs diverged from extinct wolf species,” says Christina Hansen-Witte.
Many researchers believe that their ability to form bonds with humans evolved at the same time, possibly over thousands of years, as they were raised.
To test this theory, they used a behavioral test called the Strange Attitude Test, which was specifically designed to predict attachment behaviors in dogs. It was originally developed for babies, but here it can be revealed whether domestication has affected the attachment of dogs to humans.
The procedure consists of seven stages in which the familiar or stranger interacts with the test animal in a room and their reactions are monitored. In one of these stages, the familiar and the stranger enter and leave the room to create something different. and stressful situations for the animal.
The theory is that this unstable environment will stimulate the animal’s attachment behaviors. When passing tests, animals look for signs of wolves and dogs that distinguish a familiar from a stranger. This may include showing more affection or making more greetings and physical contact. People Fashion.
The team raised wolves and dogs in similar conditions from ten days old to prepare for their test at 23 weeks of age.
The presence of a familiar person acted as a social pressure buffer for the wolves, calming them down in stressful situations. Behavioral ecologist Dr Hansen Witt said: “It is clear that wolves, like dogs, prefer the familiar to the stranger, but perhaps most interestingly, Dogs are particularly while it is not affected, it is the wolves.”
These findings, published today in the journal Ecology and Evolution, show that the ability to distinguish between familiar and stranger is not limited to dogs, and the authors conclude that human attachment is not exaggerated. in dogs through domestication and can appear through dogs. Selected for breeding of wolves.
said Dr. “If there is a difference in human-oriented attachment behavior among wolves, this behavior may be a potential for early selection pressures applied during dog domestication,” says Hansen Witt.
Source: Daily Mail
Source: Arabic RT
