Why do we love ugly animals?

The World’s Ugliest Dog contest is held in California. The jury will consider multiple dogs with squashed noses, crooked teeth, and bulging eyes to determine the winner. Followers of the contest in many parts of the world began to share photos of their ‘ugly’ pets on social media platforms.

But why do we love ugly animals so much? Why do we find strange features of animals cute? According to Austrian zoologist Konrad Lorenz, people are attracted to childlike features such as large eyes, a large head, and a soft body. This is an evolutionary trait that helps ensure adults take care of their children and ensures the survival of the species. Lorenz called these infantile traits the “baby schema” in 1943.

Bizarre-looking animals such as the dropfish, pug and bulldog, and the ay-ay (Madagascar Monkey) all share these infantile traits that trigger the protective instinct in humans. Marta Borgi, a researcher at the Rome Institute of Higher Health, who studies how the baby schema plays a role in the human-animal relationship, says that these childlike traits increase “protective behaviors, attention, and desire to show attention” in people, and reduce the “likelihood of violence against the child.”

Borgi says that “in humans whose offspring depend entirely on their parents for care and protection, this trait is valuable as it contributes to increasing the offspring’s chances of survival.” A 2014 study found that the concept of “cuteness” is well-established and developed at a very young age, with even three-year-olds preferring animals and humans with large eyes, button noses, and round faces. The study also found that there was greater interest in images of dogs, cats, and humans digitally altered to make their facial features appear more childlike.

On the other hand, experts say that many ugly animals, such as the blobfish or the naked mole rat, have several distinctive features that they have developed to adapt to the extreme environments in which they live. Scientists want to study these animals to see if they can provide new insights that could guide treatments for human health problems such as cancer, heart disease, and neurodegenerative diseases.

While many hideous animals are perfectly adapted to their habitats and can provide tremendous benefits to the ecosystems in which they live, they are often not as attracted and researched as more traditionally cute animals.

There are also some cultural factors that drive our interest in ugly-cute animals. “Ugly-cute animals have become very fashionable. This is partly due to social media. Celebrities and influencers, for example, frequently post pictures of pugs or bulldogs on Instagram,” says Rowena Packer, a lecturer at the Royal Veterinary College.

However, veterinarians warn people not to choose such flat-faced dog breeds because they have serious health problems. For example, selectively bred pugs and French bulldogs suffer from intense breathing difficulties, skin problems, and eye diseases. Pug dogs with flat noses also have difficulty regulating their body temperature in summer.

Packer says this type of flat-faced dog should be crossed with other breeds to avoid health issues. Experts emphasize the importance of genetic diversity in animals, as the absence of diversity can lead to the rapid spread of diseases and even the extinction of species.

An analysis of 102 English bulldogs in 2016 found that they had very little genetic variation in their maternal and paternal lineages. Bulldogs have “become caricatures of their original selves,” says Packer. There’s a huge trend in humans towards small-bodied dogs with folds in the skin. But these features actually reflect malformations in their spine. Their vertebrae are now broken, which can lead to a host of neurological diseases.

In conclusion, the World’s Ugliest Dog contest highlights our fascination with animals that possess strange and unconventional features. This attraction can be attributed to evolutionary traits and the “baby schema” that triggers our protective instincts. However, it is important to consider the health implications of selectively breeding animals for certain physical characteristics. Genetic diversity plays a crucial role in the survival and well-being of animal species.

What are some organizations or movements that focus on raising awareness and protection for less conventionally attractive animals

Animals. This bias towards cuteness is known as “aesthetic appeal” and it has led to some species being overlooked and undervalued in conservation efforts.

However, there is a growing movement to appreciate the beauty in all animals, regardless of their appearance. Organizations like the Ugly Animal Preservation Society are dedicated to raising awareness and protection for these less conventionally attractive creatures. They highlight the importance of biodiversity and the role that even the most unappealing animals play in our ecosystems.

So, while the World’s Ugliest Dog contest may seem like a lighthearted event, it raises important questions about our perceptions of beauty and our understanding of the natural world. Perhaps it’s time we shift our focus from cuteness to appreciating the unique and often strange features that make each creature special. After all, true beauty lies in the eye of the beholder, even when it comes to the world’s ugliest animals.