Have you ever seen a fox and thought “They are so cute! I wish I could have one.” Well, that dream might be closer to reality than you might think. In recent years, scientists have been studying the fascinating phenomenon of urban red foxes and their rapid evolution. Research has suggested that foxes living in urban areas are evolving characteristics that make them more similar to domesticated dogs. Essentially, urban foxes are domesticating themselves. Just as dogs were once wild animals, does this mean that foxes will also one day become house pets?
The Rise of Urban Foxes
For over a century, red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) have been increasingly populating cities, specifically in the United Kingdom. Cities such as London, Birmingham, and Bristol have seen a massive boom in the urban fox population. In fact, there is now approximately one fox per every 300 people in London alone. In just a few generations, these foxes have begun to change and evolve to adapt to their surroundings. Researchers believe that this process is likely similar to how the domestication of dogs began so many centuries ago. (1, 2)
What Changes Have Occurred?
A study conducted by researchers analyzed 111 skulls of adult red foxes from urban and rural areas, particularly near London. The study found that urban foxes have smaller heads and shorter, wider snouts compared to their rural counterparts. This change in snout shape is believed to have developed to help urban foxes scavenge for food in human garbage. Unlike rural foxes, who mostly have to hunt for their food, urban foxes scavenge much more. Due to their adaptations to their surroundings, these foxes are more likely to stay within their cities and not come in contact with rural foxes. This has lead to them mating for specific traits that allow them to better survive in the urban environment, thus leading to the changes researchers are now seeing.
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Evidence of Domestication Syndrome
While these urban foxes are not a new species, scientists believe they are exhibiting what is known as “domestication syndrome.” By frequently interacting with humans, these city-dwelling foxes are gradually adopting traits more commonly associated with domesticated animals. These findings suggest that adapting to life around humans can prime certain animals for domestication.
The researchers involved in the study draw parallels between the changes observed in urban foxes and the traits that emerged during the early stages of dog and cat domestication. The basic environmental factors present in early domestication were likely similar to the conditions in which urban animals like foxes currently reside. This resemblance further supports the idea that urban foxes are undergoing a self-domestication process.
The Role of Rapid Evolution
The rapid and recent changes observed in the skull traits of red foxes indicate that these alterations are connected to fundamental evolutionary tendencies. These changes are not merely the result of random mutations but are instead linked to the specific skills required for survival in urban environments. For example, the shorter and wider snouts help urban foxes effectively sift through trash in search of food.
Implications and Future Prospects
With urban fox populations increasing over the years, the future of the red fox remains uncertain. While their numbers have risen in cities, there has also been a decline in overall fox populations. Urban spaces present both opportunities and challenges for foxes, and time will tell whether humans will embrace these urban foxes as they once did with dogs. The study of urban foxes provides valuable insights into the conditions and mechanisms that initiate domestication, suggesting that patterns of domestication may be developmentally biased towards larger patterns of interspecific divergence.
The research on urban foxes demonstrates the incredible ability of animals to adapt to their changing environment through rapid evolution. The distinctive changes observed in urban foxes, such as their smaller heads and snouts, indicate a fascinating process of self-domestication. These findings not only shed light on the evolution of urban wildlife but also provide insights into the conditions and mechanisms that contribute to the domestication of animals. As urban landscapes continue to shape the behavior and traits of wild animals, the relationship between humans and urban foxes may evolve further, blurring the lines between domestication and wildness.
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Sources
- “Skull morphology diverges between urban and rural populations of red foxes mirroring patterns of domestication and macroevolution.” Royal Society Publishing. K. J. Parsons, Anders Rigg, A. J. Conith, A. C. Kitchener, S. Harris and Haoyu Zhu. June 3. 2020.
- “Rapid evolution is making red foxes more like dogs in 1 distinct way.” Inverse. Nina Pullano. June 3, 2020.
