As dogs evolved to read human cues, they became the popular pets they are today.
Hare said this ability sets dogs apart from other pets. But he added that natural selection might not be the only explanation for canine social savvy.
He plans to conduct another study this summer in Siberia to study the only domesticated foxes in the world. He will be accompanied by Natalie S. Ignacio ’03, a biological anthropology concentrator.
They hope to learn about the side effects of domestication, especially related to animal cognition.
According to Ignacio, the team has high expectations for its research on the Bayleyev silver foxes of Novosibirsk, Russia.
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“We’re pretty optimistic about our chances of success with these foxes,” she said.