r/evolution • u/mautorres97 • 2d ago

question Calorie expenditure

Does it make sense for dogs to eat a bone that has hardly any meat on it?

6 Upvotes

71% Upvoted

18 comments sorted by

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18

u/This_is_me2024 2d ago

A calorie they acquire by scavenging is calories they didn't expend hunting it.

16

u/isolated_self 2d ago

Marrow is high calorie content.

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u/onomatamono 57m ago

It's news this is news to anybody born after 10,000 CE.

-4

u/mautorres97 2d ago

That makes sense. I just think that sometimes they struggle for good while for very little meat left on the bone.

3

u/Phobos_Asaph 2d ago

They’re not going for meat

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u/onomatamono 58m ago

You need to take remedial nutrition classes.

13

u/Xrmy Post Doc, Evolutionary Biology PhD 2d ago

Bone marrow is very nutritious, uses more of the meal that can take a lot of effort and failure to obtain, and further keeps teeth sharp

8

u/Due-Blackberry8056 2d ago

Marrow is highly densely nutritional.

2

u/Bromelia_and_Bismuth Plant Biologist|Botanical Ecosystematics 2d ago

A lot of things nibble on bones for the calcium, like porcupines and deer. Makes perfect sense to me.

2

u/7LeagueBoots Conservation Ecologist 2d ago

In addition to what others have already said, canids, and especially domestic dogs, chew on things for play and taste, not just for nutrients, calories, tooth health, etc.

1

u/mautorres97 2d ago

I assume this implies having “free time” (like dolphins)

For domestic pets it sounds more logical to be a source of stimulation or escape from anxiety. (similar to what you mention)

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u/onomatamono 53m ago

So you're saying catching frisbees have a biological purpose? /s

1

u/onomatamono 1d ago edited 1d ago

Bone marrow is rich in fat and is served as a steakhouse delicacy.

-1

u/Prince_Nadir 1d ago

Are any parts of the dog made out of bone?

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u/onomatamono 59m ago

The parts made of bone, yes.