January 4, 2025 | David F. Coppedge

ENST: Non-Evolution of the Wet Dog Shake

 

 

This fun article was published at Evolution News on December 9, 2024.


Non-Evolution of the Wet Dog Shake
by David Coppedge
December 9, 2024

Who hasn’t laughed at the wet dog shake? Phydeaux comes out of the pool and reflexively performs this elaborate dance, spin-drying herself from head to tail. It wasn’t so funny when Beethoven did it in the bedroom. We’ve all learned to stay clear of this canine waggle dance unless wanting to get soaked.

The wet dog shake is common to furry mammals. Grizzly bears do it. It’s been observed in “mice, rats, cats, goats, sheep, lions, tigers, bears, and giant pandas” — some 30 mammals. We humans can’t do it nearly as well (try it and see). We reach for the beach towel instead or perform a poor imitation of the Funky Chicken. But the Wet Dog Shake App comes pre-installed in most hairy mammals.

Enter science to explain the Wet Dog Shake: Science Magazine, that is, which published work by Harvard neurobiologist David D. Ginty and colleagues. Naturally, scientists must have an acronym: WDS, for Wet Dog Shake. Clever.

Click here to continue reading.

 

(Visited 248 times, 1 visits today)

Leave a Reply