Dogs and wolves are genetically so similar, it’s been
difficult for biologists to understand why wolves remain fiercely wild, while
dogs can gladly become “man’s best friend.” Now, doctoral research by
evolutionary biologist Kathryn Lord at the University of Massachusetts Amherst
suggests the different behaviors are related to the animals’ earliest sensory
experiences and the critical period of socialization. Details appear in the
current issue of Ethology.
Until now, little was known about sensory development in
wolf pups, and assumptions were usually extrapolated from what is known for
dogs, Lord explains. This would be reasonable, except scientists already know
there are significant differences in early development between wolf and dog
pups, chief among them timing of the ability to walk, she adds.