QUESTION: Why do dogs bury bones?
ANSWER: The bone-burying dog is reverting to the behavior of its ancient ancestors. Burying bones is a survival instinct learned thousands of years before wolves were domesticated and developed into dogs.
Dogs are protective creatures that safeguard all they deem valuable. Following in his ancestors’ footsteps, your dog uses his own front feet to hollow out an area in the ground that keeps his “treasures” safe.
Dogs hunted in packs, much like modern-day wolves. The dog pack would send out scouts in all directions searching for prey. When they found, cornered, and killed a large animal, the feast would begin. But more than likely, there would be leftovers.
The dog, being a smart animal, knew that it had to save up for the lean times when food was scarce. Jackals and hyenas wanted a piece of the action, as did large cats, such as pumas, mountain lions, cheetahs, or tigers. Fellow dogs in the pack also got hungry.
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Dogs have strong paws for moving dirt. Dig a hole, put in bones, cover them up, and the dog has created a savings account for the future. The hidden bones’ smell was masked by the earth, and the moist ground slowed spoilage. Its cache was safe from scavengers. Buried bones have some meat on them, and the marrow inside the bone was sufficient to sustain a hungry dog in lean times.
Today’s well-fed canines are less likely to go back to their ancestor’s old ways of stockpiling food. However, if it finds more food than it needs or if feeding times are irregular, Rover may be seen carrying food behind the couch, as that hoarding impulse is quite strong. He might never return to the stash, as new food magically appears in his feeding bowl. Rover might also hide plastic bones and other toys. He will occasionally take clothing and towels to line his bed. Old habits die hard!
Terriers are the breed most likely to dig and bury. They get their name from the Latin word terra or the French terre, meaning “earth.” Scottish terriers go after moles and other underground vermin. Their turned-out feet permit them to efficiently shovel earth to the side.
The food-hoarding pooch is not the only animal that thinks ahead. Beavers collect and store piles of vegetation around their lodges in expectation of a cold winter. Leopards will drag their kill high up into trees where other animals can’t intrude. Squirrels bury acorns and nuts in the ground and in tree hollows.
Sources: AmericanKennelClub, livescience.com
Larry Scheckel taught science at Tomah High School for 38 years and was named Tomah Teacher of the Year three times. Send comments and questions to [email protected].
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