Nature versus nurture is an argument that has raged for generations, but I think in recent years scientists have realised that genetics does not work alone very often, if ever. Epigenetics is the science behind how genes only do what they do, because of the environment they are in. This means that the nature versus nurture debate should be put to bed.
Really? If that was the case why do some domestic cats still hunt at every opportunity and others happily laze around all day doing nothing. That is even true of cats raised in the same property by the same people.
2 identical twins raised in exactly the same environment, can have totally different personalities, yet they have identical genes. With cats I expect it is that their environment is having a more major effect on genes programming for lazing around, therefore suppressing the hunting genes.
How can you lie there and think of England When you don't even know who's in the team
Both our cats were rescued as kittens - one directly from a home where his mother was a young adoptee witha surprise batch of kittens already on board. He went straight from one home with a full belly and lots of cuddles to another and, while he does occasionally go thru the motions, he has no clue how to hunt and is rather plump and lazy and very cuddly.
The other spent some time fending for herself before being found under a truck, covered in oil. We got her at 4 months old. It took her a year to trust us completely and come for cuddles and, even tho well fed, she is a very capable hunter. Lots of mousey presents.
Sometimes experiences are as strong as genes in shaping behaviour.
Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
"The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
This was the result of a free bulb we got from the GW magazine about 10 years ago. I don't grow blowsy flowers and pink is not my colour. Every year it pops up like some massive show-off and promptly gets flattened by the wind. Due to the late heatwave this year I've had to put up with the thing blushing in the centre of the garden like some idiot who turned up to a funeral in fancy dress because they read the invite wrong.
If you can keep your head, while those around you are losing theirs, you may not have grasped the seriousness of the situation.
Sounds a bit like that pink plant Chrs Beardhsaw snuck into one of Monty's "designed" borders at Berryfields. It's rather lovely, despite the frilliness, so maybe you should reward it with a stake, or find it a home that will appreciate it @wild edges
If it's any consolation, I once planned a blue and yellow border in Belgium - yellow roses, blue clematis, blue hyacinths, yellow daffs and tulips etc. Every single hyacinth and tulip came up pink.
Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
"The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
2 identical twins raised in exactly the same environment, can have totally different personalities, yet they have identical genes. With cats I expect it is that their environment is having a more major effect on genes programming for lazing around, therefore suppressing the hunting genes.
I don't think you need to resort to genetic change to explain changed behaviour. A simpler explanation is changes to the way the neurons in the brain are connected, ie learning.
Rain! OH has spent today going up to somewhere near Angers for a golf competition. Arrived an hour later than planned owing to heavy storms and flooding. It's been wet up there all day.
Here? Some clouds, plenty of breeze but not a drop. It's all gone by just to the east and heading north east. At least it's a bit cooler and much less humid than the last few days.
Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
"The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
For anybody wondering why town centres are dying on their feet, here's one reason. We were in a shop in town which has been there for years but now has 'Closing Down' signs in the window. We said to the manager that is was sad to see yet another established business closing. Her reply was that there was one reason, and one reason only, for them closing. The owners of the building have trebled their rent, and that is simply not possible to live with.
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Really? If that was the case why do some domestic cats still hunt at every opportunity and others happily laze around all day doing nothing. That is even true of cats raised in the same property by the same people.
With cats I expect it is that their environment is having a more major effect on genes programming for lazing around, therefore suppressing the hunting genes.
When you don't even know who's in the team
S.Yorkshire/Derbyshire border
The other spent some time fending for herself before being found under a truck, covered in oil. We got her at 4 months old. It took her a year to trust us completely and come for cuddles and, even tho well fed, she is a very capable hunter. Lots of mousey presents.
Sometimes experiences are as strong as genes in shaping behaviour.
If it's any consolation, I once planned a blue and yellow border in Belgium - yellow roses, blue clematis, blue hyacinths, yellow daffs and tulips etc. Every single hyacinth and tulip came up pink.
Here? Some clouds, plenty of breeze but not a drop. It's all gone by just to the east and heading north east. At least it's a bit cooler and much less humid than the last few days.