Pet parents would agree that it is hard to resist puppy-dog eyes. A recent study proved that the popular belief that puppy-dog eyes result from domestication is false. Researchers also found African wild dogs with the same muscles, thus proving that the adaptations weren’t unique to domesticated dogs.
Research shows ‘puppy-dog eyes’ didn’t evolve just to influence humans
Dog owners must be familiar with puppy eyes, with their canines flashing them the same every time they do something wrong. They also sometimes use their big puppy-dog eyes in order to score extra treats and melt everyone’s hearts. For a long time, it was believed that puppy-dog eyes are unique to domesticated dogs due to selective breeding. However, a recent study of African wild dogs proves otherwise.
The research was published in The Anatomical Record journal on April 10. The study found that other canine species also had the eyebrow muscles needed for puppy-dog eyes. According to the Independent, the finding resulted from researchers dissecting an African wild dog’s corpse. The body was donated by a zoo, which helped them discover the same muscles believed to be unique to domesticated dogs.
Moreover, the African wild dog’s body didn’t just have the needed muscles. In fact, the eyebrow muscles were just as developed as those of domesticated dogs, which shows that they can use the muscles just as well as pets. Along with the eyebrow muscles, the dissected body also revealed well-developed muscles leading to their ears.
In the wild, the species tends to communicate vocally. However, the developed muscles suggest they also might communicate non-vocally, which is unknown to humans. Researchers noted that non-vocal communication in the wild would be extremely useful while hunting. This would facilitate silent communications across the grassy plains of Africa while they fix their target on prey.
