Scientists have unraveled the secret of tail wagging in dogs
Scientists have long been trying to figure out why dogs wag their tails. Various theories have been put forward, ranging from demonstrating happiness and friendliness to showing sympathy. Now, researchers have suggested that this is just a result of domestication.
They analyzed more than 100 scientific papers and found several patterns. Yes, some animals do this when they receive an unexpected or accidental gift. For example, a plastic bag or even a fan. In this case, wagging the tail is considered a sign of positive emotions or a high degree of excitement, rather than fear and stress because of a strange object.
In other cases, it happens during a famine. Therefore, it was assumed that they were asking or even demanding food in this way.
Given this diversity of data, it is not surprising that scientists are still unable to solve this mystery. Nevertheless, the authors of the new paper still put forward two hypotheses.
The first is the “domestication syndrome”. They found confirmation of the theory in a study of black-brown foxes that were bred and trained to be more obedient.
“The tamed foxes began to wag their tails and had curled tails,” the authors of the study reported.
The second hypothesis is that people prefer to select dogs that wag their tails frequently. Sometimes the choice is made even unconsciously. This theory is based on cognitive neuroscience research that has shown that the human brain is attracted to rhythmic stimuli. Therefore, it is quite possible that animals have developed a corresponding instinct over the years.
The authors also concluded that aggressive dogs wag their tails more than obedient pets. However, they emphasize that all of their conclusions are not supported by convincing evidence and therefore do not prove anything. However, they can be a basis for reflection and future research on this phenomenon.
