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Belyaev Experiment: Docile Foxes



Uploaded by: ZacharyB
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http://www.utsc.utoronto.ca/~tlsweb/instruction/BGYB32/B32_popular.pdf
http://cbsu.tc.cornell.edu/ccgr/behaviour/History.htm Genetically domesticated foxes arise out of 50 years of selective breeding. This is from the tame stock, where animals' early reactions to handlers are observed as being non-aggressive. These animals are allowed to breed and the offspring are
further selected for tameness. There is no behavioral modification like petting or striking in the fox's life. See the above link for the complete testing procedure. This video is a simple behavioral evaluation which determines how the fox responds to the handler. First, the handler simply approac
hes the cage. Then, the handler idles outside the cage. The cage is then opened but the handler does not seek contact with the fox. Then, the handler seeks to touch the fox. The cage is then closed and the handler stands outside the cage once again. Each phase of testing lasts for one minute (this i
s a truncated video). The fox's reactions are objectively recorded by the handler. This particular fox is from the tame stock. These videos show the impact of genetics on behavior. (See companion video of fox that has arisen out of the aggressive stock.) The "bite" you see in this video is non-for
ceful and a form of play. Foxes use mouth-holding to show dominance. Rats and I believe a form of stoat were also experimented with in this way, but I do not have any videos. Edit 4.16.07: I just learned that Belyaev found out that the "tameness trait" was actually an adrenal response. Within 10 g
enerations 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), dro
opy or small ears, shortened muzzles, shorter tails. Adrenaline was only one hormone in a collection of many that ended up being effected. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=enrLSfxTqZ0 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 arc
tic 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 hand
le 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 selectio
n)


Tags for this video: behavior behavioral belyaev domestic domesticated experiment fox foxes genes genetic genetics psychology tame taming

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Our pet silver fox ... ( 9 months ago by LittleFrock)
Our pet silver fox Faybee reacted exactly the same way when she greeted us, but especially guests or strangers. But unlike this fox (which surprises me), she would vocalize a lot, mostly squealing. I just hear this fox panting. Faybee came from a fox fur farm at the age of a few weeks. As far as I know she was not being bred for tameness. I think by just being around humans as she was all her life foxes greet humans as they would other foxes.
Hi LittleFrock, I ... ( 9 months ago by ZacharyB)
Hi LittleFrock, I agree. There is something in canid genetics that makes them amicable to things they do not fear. From foxes to wolves, they seem to behave in the same manner when greeting. As you say, wild foxes, having not grown up with people, have too many reservations about the unknown. Hunger may drive them to periodically interact with other species. Some foxes are also more willing to be curious, and it is this trait which Belyaev exploited to breed the stock shown in this video.
Additionally, your ... ( 9 months ago by ZacharyB)
Additionally, your comment makes me think of what the fur breeders did with the animals Belyaev bred for them. I suspect not every one got turned into a fur; it is possible that they may have taken Belyaev's work and tried to replicate it, to save money. As such, there may be any number of not necessarily tame, but less-wild silver foxes floating around the fur farm populations.
Thanks for commenting. Faybee is adorable in your videos.
They did keep some ... ( 9 months ago by LittleFrock)
They did keep some inside their house as pets. Not sure for how long though. Also I am sure that they sold foxes as pets many times before. They seemed to know the routine, with giving us the info and worming meds we needed for her. I wonder who would be a better source for a pet, these exotic pet breeders I hear about, or the fur farm?
I think this study ... ( 7 months ago by LarkPash)
I think this study is so fascinating, but as much as I want a fox I would be hesitant to get one. The rabies vaccine is not reliable with foxes. Many fox breeders and raisers actually vaccinate themselves because of the fact you can't do that so far with a fox. (I am getting my source from a veterinarian I work for)
Is it trying to get ... ( 6 months ago by Kazota)
Is it trying to get out?
It appears to want ... ( 6 months ago by ZacharyB)
It appears to want to meet with the person approaching the cage.
Genetics are so ... ( 5 months ago by DaScatman)
Genetics are so fascinating. Just what can be done through "playing as God" is incredible!
It's also ... ( 5 months ago by ZacharyB)
It's also interesting, because there wasn't even any genetic engineering. Old-fashioned breeding techniques were all that was needed to bring out these changes. (And within only 10 generations, too. The probability for change then became reliable at 25 generations)
It's an interesting ... ( 5 months ago by DaScatman)
It's an interesting idea to see foxes become a new alternative to a pet, should this behavior streak continue on it's path. Not just that, but the utility the animal could be used for, it's a natural born predator, I imagine mice and other rodent infestations could be countered with the use of such a creature.
Also, is this only ... ( 5 months ago by DaScatman)
Also, is this only with the Russian Foxes, or do you suppose the same behavior could be observed with foxes more native to the western hemisphere, such as the Red Fox?
I think that ... ( 5 months ago by ZacharyB)
I think that because this population over there in Russia was so carefully bred to be this way, it's only them at this point in time. But this kind of breeding program can work with any fox, anywhere, or even any other animal. It just takes a lot of resources to develop them to this point. However, since this kind of "tameness" (adrenaline-production profile) is already in the foxes' genome, there are instances where one wild fox can appear to act tamer than others. But not to this extent.
Have you checked ... ( 3 months ago by neonas85)
Have you checked the Cornell website lately? There is a picture of what seems to be an adult fox with blue eyes. (The picture comes up when you click on the "Fox Genome" link)
You're right; I ... ( 3 months ago by ZacharyB)
You're right; I just checked now, and I don't remember those pictures. I suppose the Trut study is still ongoing, even as I type.
I have mixed ... ( 3 months ago by Tsubahi)
I have mixed feelings about it. While it's sweet to see such a friendly fox wanting to socialize with a human, I'm not so sure about manipulating wild animals into ideal pet-types to amuse us humans, though. In fact, it's like breeding foxes to "brainwash" them into such loyal, slobbering house animals...besides, we have abused and abandoned pets in the past. So if we start doing that to foxes as well, then we may have done a pretty serious crime against Nature.:(
ah, it is amazing ... ( 2 months ago by brianutube)
ah, it is amazing to see what we are capable of with natural taming techniques that involve no alteration of genes or any similar methods. to turn a wild animal into a friendly pet is an astounding work.
Actually thats not ... ( 2 months ago by danielbritos)
Actually thats not natural taming at all, its selective breeding. They are that tame from birth
Hi Tsubahi, I ... ( 2 months ago by ZacharyB)
Hi Tsubahi, I wouldn't say that this is a crime against nature, but an act of nature itself. But the true triumph of this experiment was not in creating a docile animal. No, that was but a side-effect. The transcendant realization of this experiment was to show the connection between adrenaline and behavior. It reveals that under controlled circumstances, humans may have actually tamed themselves hundreds of thousands of years ago, creating the standard for the motives that we all feel today.
can u also shorten ... ( 2 months ago by klucker)
can u also shorten the adrenal levels of a fox if you were to spay it?
It's difficult for ... ( 2 months ago by ZacharyB)
It's difficult for me to say. The animals in this video have a genetic basis for producing less adrenaline. By contrast, using spaying or neutering is a mechanical process. I also think that the types of hormones affected are different. For example, neutering removes about 90% of the body's ability to make testosterone. Spaying may remove the body's ability to make estrogen. The absence of either of these hormones will alter a fox's behavior, but not quite in the same way.
I find this ... ( 1 month ago by Raven144)
I find this fascinating, I saw on t.v the Russian experiment and it's amazing. It shows that you can basically make new species like dogs, I wonder what other animals can be tamed like this *evil laugh* MUAHAHAHAHA.
Actually dogs ... ( 1 month ago by FireRupee)
Actually dogs aren't a species, wolves are, and dogs are just a subspecies. And this one reminds me of my dog.
Well we tamed dogs ... ( 1 month ago by FireRupee)
Well we tamed dogs and cows and chickens and cats and hamsters and chinchillas and parrots and dingos (same species as the dog, I know), and rats and mice.. it's not like this is too new. Pet-over-population should be avoided, though, yes. It's not really "brainwashing", though, just domestication. I think it's pretty cool. Scary at the same time, but still interesting.
what the fuck are ... ( 3 weeks ago by CoNiLa2)
what the fuck are they doing



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