When a dog shakes water off its fur, the action is not just a random flurry of movements — nor a deliberate effort to drench anyone standing nearby.

This instinctive reflex is shared by many furry mammals including mice, cats, squirrels, lions, tigers and bears. The move helps animals to remove water, insects or other irritants from hard-to-reach places. But underlying the shakes is a complex — and previously mysterious — neurological mechanism.

Now, researchers have identified the neural circuit that triggers characteristic ‘wet dog’ shaking behaviour in mice — which involves a specific class of touch receptors, and neurons that connect the spinal cord to the brain. Their findings were published in Science on 7 November.

“The touch system is so complex and rich that [it] can distinguish a water droplet from a crawling insect from the gentle touch of a loved one,” says Kara Marshall, a neuroscientist at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas. “It’s really remarkable to be able to link a very specific subset of touch receptors to this familiar and understandable behaviour.”

Research article was featured on the cover of this issue of Science, with a glorious picture of a brown bear doing the “wet dog shake” (https://www.science.org/toc/science/current)

Research article: https://doi.org/10.1126/science.adq8834

Please let me know if there is paywall

  • Dasus@lemmy.world
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    2 months ago

    It’s not you I’m mad with. It’s just with what your comment represents.

    • Fleur_@lemm.ee
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      2 months ago

      I’m really glad you released all your pent up political anger towards media illiteracy at me, for asking a question… About dogs… And why they shakey…

      • Dasus@lemmy.world
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        2 months ago

        If you don’t want people pointing at you and talking about stupid questions, don’t ask them.

        Yes, yes, such funny answer, no articles so seem like babby language, haahaa

        The answer was in the post. I’m sick and tired of people considering politeness more important than common sense.

        “But wyy doggo shako wyyyy wyyy”

        Climate change isn’t our biggest problem. Ignorance is.

        • Fleur_@lemm.ee
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          2 months ago

          My intention was to make fun of the other comments saying “the dog shakes because it’s wet” to paraphrase. I was not seriously asking why dogs don’t shake when submerged. I tried to convey that by using improper language that imparts an innocent tone.

          I know some good parks if you need any recommendations on some good places to touch grass to help out with your dommer mentality btw

          • Dasus@lemmy.world
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            2 months ago

            Tired of everyone making everything a fucking joke. Nothing is serious the world won’t burn hahahaha

            I know some good forums if you need any recommendations for forums where to practice your jokes to help out your “comedy” btw

              • Dasus@lemmy.world
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                2 months ago

                I’m genuinely sorry this had to be about your joke, but it’s not about you, personally. It’s just about everyone doing what you’re doing. So you + a whole bunch of other people.

                But stop fucking making light of everything.

                Why.

                Why why why.

                Why can’t people take shit seriously for just like 30 minutes till we fix this shit and then we can have jokes again?

                This is the only planet in the universe known to support life. I’m sorry I’m not “fun at parties” but we have to fix this shit.

                • Fleur_@lemm.ee
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                  2 months ago

                  This is literally a you problem. Not everyone is obligated to be constant doomer post because you feel that way.

                  • Dasus@lemmy.world
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                    2 months ago

                    You being offended about me talking straight about this is definitely a you problem, I agree.

                    You can’t see how important this is. Humans require humour, yeah, but more importantly, we need a breathable atmosphere.

                    If what it takes is everyone online I interact with getting utterly bored and wanting to change the subject… so what?