Why Dog Loves to Chew Bones

Alex

Why do dogs love to chew bones? Because they've got the jaws to do it, a new research studies confirmed. Joao Munoz-Doran of the National University of Colombia explains:

"And after many generations of this grouping behaviour, there are new selective pressures on their [skull shape]," said the researcher.

This pressure meant that animals with larger teeth and stronger jaws were more likely to succeed in hunting, and to survive to pass on their large-toothed, strong-jawed genes to the next generation.

"They developed strength in their muscles - especially the muscles that close their mouth," said Dr Munoz-Doran.

"And bones that are more resistant to bending, so they could support the mechanical strains of biting the prey.

"Over time, they became adapted to be 'hypercarnivorous'."

The researcher pointed out that domestic dogs had "very good evolutionary reasons to enjoy chewing a bone".

"They have the tools to do that," he told BBC Nature, "and they want to use their tools."

Victoria Gill of BBC Nature has the story: Link


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The front-to-backseat food distribution problem is especially bad in minivans, where those in the back seat might as well be in another vehicle altogether. What would be great is some sort of basket hanging from a track on the ceiling that could zoom the length of the van so that Mom or Dad doesn't have to unbuckle, climb over the console, and navigate to the back to pass out snacks or fast food on a road trip.
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Sir, your picnic table dilemma could be solved by making the portions of the table that would cover the diners' laps be hidden inside the center portion which is between the seats. The lap portions would retract into the middle/center (base) of the table when not in use. It would be compact until ready for use. A simple release button would bring out the lap portions of the table. Fully extended the lap portion would lock into place for dining and no one would need to get out of the car for set up or breakdown.
Cheers!
sandyra
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Sandyra: You are correct. In presenting these ideas, I need to remind everyone now and then that my first impulse in creating them is to amuse myself and others! I am AMUSED by watching complicated raising and lowering procedures for small Mercedes convertibles, for example. In some models, parts magically relocate themselves in the car trunk. So I was amused by the idea of a table, moving up and over like a convertible top and locating itself in the front seating area. I began this kind of "inventing" in WHAT THE WORLD NEEDS NOW creating intentionally-flawed inventions. I still approach inventing that way!
But Sandyra, your idea is welcome and obviously better than mine.
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Not much thought goes into something like a conveyor belt for babies to grab stuff off to eat (an potentially lose a finger in). How about we try to focus on decent parenting instead of devices so parents can feed their kids in their car via conveyor belt. I am pro technology but all most the ideas presented here are a poor reflection on where civilization is heading.
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ted: Indeed, they are. Oscardagrouch is worried that my work reflects poorly on "where civilization is heading." And, gosh, sometimes I worry that civilization is heading toward humorlessness.
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Humor is part of humanity, and by that very nature, also part of civilization. Even folk of ancient times understood humor.

Those who fail to take a joke for what it is, perhaps have that part of humanity and civilization missing in themselves.

My sincere sympathies to those.
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How about drinks? The one thing we always had problems with on long road-trips was operating the coffee flask.

Would be handy to have a straw that pulls out of the dashboard or steering wheel.

Or 2 straws, one with coffee, tee or hot chocolate, kept hot by the radiator, and one for soft drinks kept cold by the aircon.
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It is instructive to take advice from a Guru. Thank you Guru Maguaffi! Certainly I agree that some sort of sipping apparatus for use while driving would be handy, especially on long trips. The container and the straws or tubes would need to be removable and either washable or replaceable. I notice that serious bike riders have worked out a system for sipping while peddling. We need to work on this.
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