logo
episode-header-image
Sep 2020
20m 55s

Why Do Dogs Have Tails?

Vermont Public
About this episode
Why do dogs have whiskers? Why are dogs' eyesight black and white? Why do dogs have so many babies? Why do dogs have tails and we don't? Why are dogs thumbs so high on their paw? Why don't dogs sweat? Why do dogs roll in the grass? Why aren't dogs and cats friends? Veterinarian and dog scientist Jessica Hekman has answers. Download our learning guides: PDF | Google Slides | Transcript | Coloring Page | Dog Breed Quiz | Answer Key
Up next
Feb 20
How did bird dinosaurs survive the meteor?
Why did the dinosaurs go extinct? Many of you have learned about the meteorite that scientists say hit the earth 66 million years ago and killed off many dinosaur species. But some dinosaurs survived, and the birds you see flying around today are their direct descendants! In this ... Show More
29m 36s
Feb 6
Why are brothers and sisters so annoying?
Why are brothers and sisters so annoying? Why do siblings often look a lot alike? Why do siblings fight? Can your sister be your best friend? Why do we fight with our siblings even if we love them? But Why takes a look at the sibling relationship with Susan Dominus, author of The ... Show More
18m 35s
Jan 23
Do bunnies come out at night?
Why are rabbits called bunnies? Why do they have fur? Why do bunnies have puffball tails? Why do rabbits have eyes on the sides of their heads? Why do rabbits hop? Our guest is Margo DeMello, professor of anthrozoology at Carroll College in Montana. She’s also a rabbit rescuer an ... Show More
25m 25s
Recommended Episodes
Jun 2021
Do dogs know they're dogs?
<p>We treat dogs like they're part of the family. But do they know they are a different species, or do they think they're just short, four-legged people?</p><br><p>In this episode, canine cognition researcher Alexandra Horowitz helps us puzzle out this question. We’ll also find o ... Show More
28m 14s
Mar 2023
Why do dogs wag their tails?
<p>Have you heard the expression “dogs are people’s best friend”? Where did it come from? And why are dogs and humans such great pals? Molly and co-host Kha-ai jump back in time to learn how dogs became humans’ best friends, and answer the question <em>why do dogs wag their tails ... Show More
30m 11s
Mar 2024
Why do dogs often look like their owners?
Numerous archaeological findings have suggested that dogs were the first animals to be domesticated by humans over 20,000 years ago. So it’s little surprise that in this day and age, 29% of UK adults own a dog. That’s according to 2023 data from vet charity PDSA.  If you have a d ... Show More
5m 1s
Jan 2017
Cats: Glowing eyes, puffy tails and secret purrs
<p>Why do cat eyes look the way they do? Can cats really see in the dark? And what are they trying to tell us with that purr (you know the one)?</p><p>See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.</p> 
25m 53s
Oct 2023
Les chiens voient-ils vraiment en noir et blanc ?
Contrairement à une idée répandue, les chiens ne perçoivent pas seulement des nuances de gris ; ils sont capables de discerner certaines couleurs. Leur perception diffère considérablement de la nôtre. Alors que les humains peuvent voir toute la gamme des couleurs, nos amis à quat ... Show More
4m 26s
May 2023
What Do Dogs Think?
“Do dogs think and feel the way we do?” We all know dogs can’t talk. That’s why scientists have to come up with creative ways of asking our canine companions what’s going on in their minds. We’ll find out why dog cognition scientist Zachary Silver put on a play for dogs - which i ... Show More
21m 39s
Jun 2025
Pourquoi dit-on que le chien est le meilleur ami de l'homme ?
Ma cousine elle a chien qui s’appelle Glenn. Il est plutôt gentil et il veut toujours s’amuser. Moi j’aime bien jouer avec lui. Un jour ma tante elle ma dit que c’était mon ami. Je lui ai demandé : mais on peut vraiment être ami avec un chien ? Elle m’a répondu que le chien est l ... Show More
3m 11s
Oct 2016
Why do Cats Have Vertical Pupils?
Why do cats have vertical pupils? Do clouds defy gravity? What is the brain basis of road rage? The Naked Scientists team tackle these and many more science questions, with help from an all-star guest panel. Like this podcast? Please help us by supporting the Naked Scientists 
55m 30s
Oct 2023
Do flies get itchy?
Lots of animals feel itchy sometimes! Bears rub their backs on rough tree trunks, dogs love a good belly scratch and birds itch themselves with their feet. But what about flies? Do they get itchy, too? We asked Johns Hopkins graduate student Abel Corver to help us find the answer ... Show More
5 m