Effects Of Domestic Dogs On Native Mammals
Sunday, September 4, 2011 - 16:00
in Biology & Nature
In 2001, researchers estimated that there were 400 million dogs worldwide, 75 million of which were owned in the U.S. alone. Despite this abundance of canine companions, little is known about the ecological impacts of domestic dogs or which native species they are most likely to interact with and influence. For the most part, pet dogs are not very good hunters, but they are very interested in, and good at, giving chase to perceived prey; even when leashes prevent this sort of disturbance, the mere sight or smell of dogs may cause non-lethal, fear-based alterations in behavior, habitat use, and physiology among wild animals.read more