Raccoons Are Showing Early Signs of Domestication
8 days ago
- #domestication
- #neural crest cells
- #urban wildlife
- Raccoons in urban areas are physically changing due to human proximity, an early step in domestication.
- Domestication may begin when animals adapt to human environments, not just through selective breeding.
- Human trash provides a food source, selecting for animals that are bold but not threatening.
- Reduced fight-or-flight response in animals allows better feeding around humans, passing traits to offspring.
- Domestication syndrome includes traits like shorter faces, floppy ears, and white fur patches.
- Neural crest cells may explain domestication syndrome, affecting physical traits and fear response.
- Urban raccoons have snouts 3.5% shorter than rural ones, showing signs of domestication syndrome.
- Future research could compare genetics and stress hormones in urban vs. rural raccoons.