The Domestication of Foxes
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Callonia wrote...
Domesticated foxes would be cool but killing them for fur is quite a big waste these days. And I don't mind if there is domesticated wolves/coyotes too, but when you get into the area of tigers and lions etc, I'd raise a eyebrow. Reasons being: You cannot communicate to them and tell them what's ok and wrong via our language.
They're fucking big.
They're carnivorous.
I will not approach a tiger unless it's in a zoo cage or domesticated tiger unless I was in full plate mail and sitting in a battle tank. Sorry but, I can't help it. I feel like my safety is threaten too much. If I know there's a tiger running around I will feel a big urge to kill it so I can sleep in peace again. Hell my house, a tiger can rip through, I don't live in a castle.
We do have domesticated wolves, lol. That'd be canis lupus familiaris, or your little dog. XD My friend has a coy-dog, that is, a coyote-dog mix, and she's pretty much like your average German shepherd-mix type dog. It was a smart little pup (I guess it's not so little anymore now). Wild coyotes are incredibly skittish though, and I can scare them off with my bike when I encounter one.
About the lions/tigers/other bigger animals, if they do get domesticated, they'll be able to understand some of the nuances of human body and spoken language, just like cats and dogs do. They'll still be freaking big though.
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Nekohime wrote...
*Was the experiment ethical in the first place?About as ethical as domesticating/taming anything, I think.
Nekohime wrote...
*How ethical is it to sell these foxes as pets or for fur?As long as they make safe pets, I don't think it's a problem. As for the fur, anyone who wants to wear it wouldn't or shouldn't have a problem with dealing with the PETA types. I personally find it distasteful, and if I want fur, I can get it synthetically.
Nekohime wrote...
*If it is ok to do this to foxes, is it ok to do it for other species? What does this mean for the exotic pet trade?Birds, cats, dogs, ferrets, elephants, orangutans, blah blah blah. It's been done before, it'll be done more.
I wouldn't mind an ocelot.
Nekohime wrote...
*If the foxes are raised in human households instead of the way they did in the experiment where they don't really interact with the foxes (aside from testing for tameness), how do you think they will act?I think that would reside with how the owners raised them. Of course some of the traits from past generations would show up from time to time, but that's true of any species. We've got dogs and cats now, and if you piss them off, they will try to fight you.
Nekohime wrote...
*Why do you think selecting for behavior also opens up a wide variety of physiological changes? How do you think these mechanisms work?The settings of animals dictates what parts are needed for where they live, i.e. evolution. Floppy ears could dictate they would be less inclined to be on the look out for meals or rivals if it is fed to them on a daily basis. When bred in captivity, shortening tails could mean less need for the balance they bring, as they are just sitting in a cage or room their whole life. Fur length/style could be a way to deal with heat differently.
Or I could be completely wrong about all of that.
chiwa wrote...
In today's technologically advanced world however, is there any real need for the domestication of additional species?I want a companion, and I may as well have a nice selection. Consumer technology is about want, not need. I think the same goes for having a pet. I don't need one, but it's nice to have. That turtle isn't doing anything for me sitting in it's tank, besides eating away at my resources. At least you can teach a monkey to play video games.
