Amazing answers to your curious questions

How did wolves evolve into so many species of dog?

Russell Foster

People began to domesticate wolves at least 12,000 years ago, and probably in several parts of the world. Wolves would have been attracted to Stone Age human encampments by food, and by taking in and bringing up puppies people found, they could tame the animals and use them for their own ends. The diversity of dog breeds came about by a process of selective breeding, the same as that still used today – breeding from animals that had desired characteristics like tameness, obedience, speed or different shapes and sizes. For example, the dachshund, meaning badger-dog in German, is long and thin to go down holes in search of badgers. By selecting the most favourable individuals to breed the next generation, gradually across many generations, the desired form was achieved. Different breeds were developed in each region and between regions of the world, multiplying the number of varieties. It was a form of evolution, producing genetic change by a process of selection analogous – as Darwin recognised – to evolution in the wild, but with humans doing the selecting rather than the natural environment.

WHAT ARE PINECONES? ARE THEY LARGE SEEDS?

Mark Burr

Pinecones contain the reproductive structures of the tree. A female cone produces seeds and a male cone produces pollen. The female cone is the large woody one that people are more likely to be familiar with. Its scales become seeds when fertilised from pollen from the less conspicuous male cones. The male cones are very similar among all species of conifers, whereas the female cones are more varied, making them the ideal way to identify the species. Pinecone scales overlap each other like fish scales to protect the seeds.

HOW DO OWLS TURN THEIR HEADS?

Tom Quinn

Owls have extremely large eyes that are fixed in their sockets. This, combined with the fact that their eyes are forward-facing, means that they have to rotate their heads to scan around. Overall, owls can move their heads through about 270 degrees. However, it’s a myth that they can rotate their heads further than other birds. Most birds have extremely flexible necks, which is essential for stabilising their heads in flight.