Why do dogs hide their bones under the ground
Dogs bark, dogs chew and dogs bury bones. In movies, in cartoons and in children’s books dogs are always depicted as bone-burying animals. Dog owners are also exposed to the inclination of the pets to bury bones.
With a sneaky look on its face, a dog that has a bone on its mouth will look for an ideal spot to hide the “treasure”. The instant the best hiding place is found, the dog will dig madly and bury the bones. Dogs have been domesticated for thousands of years but are dog owners aware of the reasons why the pets bury bones Do dogs know why they are burying bones? The pet may not be aware why it is burying bones as scientists believe that this is an instinctive habit to survive.
Dog experts believe that almost all of the behaviors and habits of modern day dogs are deeply rooted from their past. Dogs bury bones to survive thus this habit is as old as the dog’s existence. Although dogs became man’s best friend only for thousands of years; these animals have existed for over a million years. The rather puzzling behavior of modern day dogs to bury bones has helped their ancestors to survive in the wild. Primitive dogs have lived difficult lives in the wild. Dogs in the wild constantly need to be on the lookout for predators and to safeguard their food from other animals that would want to have a share of the prey.
We humans make sure that the pantry is fully stocked. Squirrels fill their nest in tree hollows with acorns and nuts. Ants are acclaimed for being industrious as they make it a point to fill their anthill with food. Dogs too hoard and this is done by burying bones and other foods. Food in the wild is scarce. A dog that has hunted a prey would need to secure the “bounty” not only from other animal but also from members of the pack. What was hidden will be uncovered when hunting is nil. The buried prey may already have rotted but the bones rich with nutritious marrow will remain to fill the hungry stomach of the dogs.
Dogs nowadays don’t go hungry. Dogs need not bury bones to survive but they do because it is an instinctive behavior. Dogs still have the inclination to hide not only bones but other food as well. Dog owners would just be surprised to find treats and bits of food hidden on the dog’s bed. Dog owners would just have to accept the fact that the dog may destroy the garden once in a while to bury its treasured bones.
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