Was an extinct fox once man's best friend? - BBC News
Our ancestors may have kept foxes as pets long before domestic dogs, archaeological evidence suggests.
15 hours agoShareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingImage source, Getty ImagesImage caption, There are more than 10 species of South American fox, including the grey foxBy Helen BriggsEnvironment correspondentOur ancestors may have kept foxes as pets long before domestic dogs came on the scene.
Archaeological evidence suggests ancient human societies in South America revered foxes to such an extent that they were buried next to them.
Scientists were surprised to find a fox buried in a human grave dating back 1,500 years in Patagonia, Argentina.
They think the most likely explanation is that the fox was a highly valued companion or pet.
DNA analysis shows the animal dined with prehistoric hunter gatherers and was part of the inner circle of the camp.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-68772835
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