Survival of the Fittest

The greatest support of Charles Darwin’s theory of natural selection seems to be his own observed qualities in animals. He was able to observe different qualities in animals, domestic and wild, that could help them to survive various situations in nature better than others. For example, he cites that some cats are more adept when it comes to catching birds, some to rats and some to mice. These differences will give these cats a distinct advantage naturally and sexually when in nature compared to those who have no distinguishable characteristics. Ultimately, the latter cats will die out if the talented cats continue to reproduce and spread their qualities to their offspring, which Darwin sees as inevitable. The advantageous cats will continue to thrive until there is a further evolution, say a cat is born with the ability to catch both mice and birds effectively, which will start to theoretically kill off the cats with a singular talent unless they further adapt. This displays his theory of survival of the fittest extremely effectively. He also gives the example of different ways one would breed dogs. When seeking to create the purest breed, Darwin states that one does not just breed any dog of that breed, but the strongest dog of the breed with its female counterpart. This further displays that he believes strong qualities are hereditary and that those unfortunate animals with the lack of beneficial qualities will simply not procreate, at least to any great extent like a prized show dog. So Darwin’s greatest proofs of natural selection come from his own observations of nature and his logical deduction of the struggle for survival, animal’s sexual preferences and what not.