island tameness

English

Noun

island tameness (uncountable)

1. An evolutionary trait found with island-dwelling animals, which when isolated on islands evolve the loss of timidity in the face of the unknown or predators.
   • 2011, William Stolzenburg, Rat Island: Predators in Paradise and the World's Greatest Wildlife Rescue:

     The Anacapa deer mouse was a Channel Islands native, a Dumbo-eared, doe-eyed mouse with an endearing touch of island tameness.

Synonyms

• insular tameness

Coordinate terms

• island dwarfism (insular dwarfism)
• island gigantism (insular gigantism)