Overview

• A new study reveals that ancient humans in Patagonia, Argentina, may have kept the now-extinct fox species Dusicyon avus as pets or companions, about 1,500 years ago.
• The discovery was made at the Cañada Seca burial site, where a fox was found buried alongside human remains, suggesting a significant relationship between the two.
• Analysis of the fox's diet showed it was similar to that of the humans, indicating it was either fed by the humans or fed on their refuse.
• The absence of cut marks on the fox's bones suggests it was not hunted for food, reinforcing the idea of a non-utilitarian relationship.
• The study challenges previous theories that the fox went extinct due to breeding with domestic dogs, as genetic analysis indicates the fox could likely breed with dogs, producing fertile offspring.