Quck answer
Animal domestication is a process of taming wild animals to live with humans and serve their needs. This process involves selective breeding, where animals with desirable traits are chosen to reproduce, gradually leading to changes in their genetic makeup. Domesticated animals are typically less aggressive and more tolerant of human contact than their wild counterparts. The process of domestication can take thousands of years and is influenced by factors such as climate, environment, and human culture. Today, domesticated animals play a vital role in human society, serving as sources of food, transportation, and companionship.
Animal Facts
Mammal Image Gallery Humans have domesticated animals like these to become so obedient and trusting of us that they now peacefully share our living space. See more mammal pictures.
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Animal domestication has provided humans with countless products, services, and hours of labor, which have had a significant impact on our history. From the early use of animals for food, humans eventually realized their usefulness for work, clothes, protection, and transportation. Domestication is a process where humans change animal behavior, and over time, some species become gentler and more obedient, becoming naturally accustomed to living among and interacting with humans.
While some people believe that animal domestication is not a good thing, others argue that it is a natural process that provides benefits to both humans and animals. Regardless of the differing opinions, it cannot be denied that animal domestication has advanced humankind in many ways. Each domesticated species has its own story, but the process of domestication happens through the same biological process. How do humans orchestrate an entire species’ transformation from wild to mild?
A Whole Different Animal: How Domestication Happens
Thanks to their flexible diet, pigs made a great candidate for domestication.
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Animal offspring inherit genes from their parents, indicating what traits they will have. The variety of genes and possibility of mutation allow for animal species to evolve over time. In the process of natural selection, animals with traits that allow them to survive better will be more likely to breed, eventually leading to only members with helpful traits surviving. This explains how wolves, through genetic and evolutionary changes, became the ancestors of cute little Pomeranians.
Artificial selection is the process where humans choose desirable traits in animals that they want to see in the animal’s offspring. This can include bigger size, certain color, furrier, smaller, gentler or stronger among others. Humans domesticate animals using this method, resulting in wolves becoming gentle enough to keep in the home, sheep producing more wool, and horses being ridden by humans. However, not all animals can be domesticated. Humans have only succeeded in domesticating 14 animal species out of 148 candidates, according to author Jared Diamond. Animals must have the right diet, fast growth rate, friendly disposition, easy breeding, respect for social hierarchy, and not panic to be domesticated. Pandas and zebras are too violent and have not been domesticated. The history of domestication is tied to animals and their importance in human survival, identity, and daily life.
Historians have gained knowledge about the domestication of animals through archeological evidence, such as fossils. The domestication of animals is linked to human domestication, which refers to the shift from hunter-gathering to farming. Although domesticated dogs were used by hunter-gatherers before human domestication, farmers later realized the benefits of keeping livestock. Raising domesticated livestock provided fresh meat and manure for fertilizing crops to farmers who settled in one place. Diamond notes that civilizations that domesticated animals and plants had more power and were able to spread their cultures and languages.
Civilizations all over the ancient world domesticated animals for various reasons depending on what animals were available and what they could offer. Some animals were even considered religious symbols in many civilizations, such as Ancient Egypt and Rome. The following is a breakdown of where animals were initially domesticated: Southwest Asia included some of the first domesticated dogs, sheep, goats, and pigs. In Central Asia, people raised chickens and used Bactrian camels for carrying loads. The Arabian camel, also known as a dromedary, originated in Arabia. China was home to the early domestication of water buffalo, pigs, and dogs. Wild tarpan horses were domesticated in the area that is now Ukraine, and they are believed to be the ancestors of modern horses. The donkey was useful in Egypt as it could work without much water and vegetation. Domesticated llamas and alpacas originated from South America, and historians believe that South Americans saved these species from the brink of extinction with domestication.
As a species becomes more domesticated, it changes. Domesticated animals’ brains may become smaller, and their sensory abilities may become less precise. This is likely because the animal no longer requires the same level of intelligence and sharp senses of sight and hearing for survival in a domesticated environment. Other common changes include floppy ears, curly hair, and changes in size and mating habits. Domesticated animals are more likely to mate year-round rather than seasonally, as they do in the wild. These changes and others often cause domesticated animals to look drastically different from their wild ancestors.
Animal domestication has also brought about significant changes in humans. For example, milk has changed our digestive system. Before animal domestication, people naturally developed lactose intolerance as they grew into adulthood. However, when humans started raising livestock, they began drinking more milk, and this has adapted our digestive systems to accommodate milk throughout our lives.
In the next section, we will explore how the dog’s legendary evolution may have produced man’s earliest and most faithful animal companion.
The Origin of Canine Domestication: From Wolves to Man’s Best Friend
The modern-day dog, known for its affectionate personality and loyalty, was believed to have evolved from the gray wolf, one of the most dangerous predators.
Scientists have used DNA evidence to prove that the dog did indeed descend from the gray wolf, despite the mystifying transformation from wild beast to household pet. Although the oldest fossils of a domesticated dog are from a 14,000-year-old dog grave, DNA evidence suggests that dogs diverged from wolves much earlier than that, with estimates ranging from 15,000 to more than 100,000 years ago.
Regardless, historians confirm that humans domesticated dogs before any other animal, making them man’s oldest friend, if not his best.
Theories suggest that humans either took in wolf pups and eventually tamed them, or tamer wolves were not afraid to rummage through human trash sites to find food. As tamer wolves were more likely to stick around humans, evolution naturally (or humans intentionally) bred tamer and tamer wolves, until eventually, the domesticated dog emerged.
The dynamic duo of man and tamed wolf proved to be an effective hunting partnership, leading to a mutually beneficial relationship. The 20th-century Russian geneticist Dmitri Belyaev’s experiment breeding tame foxes revealed that behavior and appearance could have changed wolves into dogs. As the foxes became tamer, they developed dog-like characteristics such as floppy ears, short snouts, spotted coats, highly-set tails, and even a tendency to bark.
Belyaev’s findings also explain how different dog breeds ended up looking so varied when wolves look relatively similar. Tameness brought about variation unseen in wild wolves, and humans embraced this variation, breeding different dogs for different purposes. In the 19th century, dog shows saw a surge in the number of dog breeds.
After learning about the domestication of dogs, we will now explore how cats became our beloved pets. In ancient Egypt, dogs were considered a status symbol for royalty, while cats were not domesticated until much later. The lack of physical differences between wild and domestic cats has made it difficult for scientists to pinpoint the exact time of domestication. However, evidence suggests that modern domestic cats may have descended from European and African wild cats. The burial of a human and cat together in a 9,500-year-old gravesite indicates that cats held a significant role in early human culture. While cats’ hunting abilities made them appealing to humans for pest control, their independence made domestication more challenging than it was for dogs. Nonetheless, cats have managed to survive and thrive in both domestic and feral settings. Despite their reputation for being aloof, cats still enjoy the benefits of food and shelter provided by their human companions. While dogs and cats were helpful to humans, other domesticated animals played a vital role in advancing human civilization through transportation and farming.
The ancient Egyptians held cats in high regard, even giving them a god-like status as early as 1700 B.C. They created statues and wall drawings depicting cats and even mummified them with as much care and reverence as they did for humans. Livestock animals have played a significant role in human history, providing fresh meat, milk, and assisting with farming. Cattle, oxen, sheep, goats, and pigs were all domesticated for various purposes. Transportation animals, such as horses, camels, and donkeys, allowed for migration and trade, leading to advancements in civilization.
Soil tests have shown that ancient settlements contained high levels of horse manure, suggesting that horses were domesticated 5,600 years ago. DNA evidence also indicates that modern domesticated horses have origins from various wild herds across multiple lands. Although horses were originally used for meat and milk, they became accustomed to being ridden and pulling carts, allowing humans to travel long distances quickly. Donkeys were also domesticated around the same time as horses and were highly revered by ancient Egyptians. Camels, specifically Bactrian and Arabian, were domesticated due to their ability to carry heavy loads and survive with little water, making them valuable in desert areas. Other animals, such as rodents and insects, have also been domesticated and contributed to human civilization.
The list provided features a variety of animals that have been domesticated for various purposes throughout history. Chickens and roosters were initially domesticated for cockfighting, but were further bred for egg production. Turkeys were first domesticated by American Indians and were not introduced to Europe until the 16th century. Bees were domesticated for honey production, with the design of beehives being significantly improved in the 19th century. Silkworms were domesticated for silk production in China around 3000 B.C. Rabbits were first used for hunting, but were later domesticated by French monks for food. Hamsters were only domesticated in 1930, and were initially used for scientific experiments before becoming popular pets.
It should be noted that not all of these animals fit the strict definition of domestication, which only includes animals whose genetic makeup has been altered to allow humans to manipulate their breeding and diet. Elephants, for example, can only be considered tamed rather than domesticated because they have not formed a new species through the domestication process.
This information was originally published on April 14, 2008.
FAQ on Animal Domestication
What is the meaning of domestication?
Domestication is a gradual process in which animals become tamer and learn to follow human instructions. During this process, the entire species of animal evolves to living among and interacting with humans naturally.
What is the history of animal domestication?
Archaeological evidence such as fossils and cave illustrations provide us with some of the earliest evidence of humans and animals. Historians have learned a lot about domestication from such evidence.
Why was the domestication of animals important for civilization’s development?
Throughout our history, animals have played a significant role in human life, becoming essential to our survival, our history, and our identity. Animals provide humans with food, clothing, companionship, milk, and much more.
What are the characteristics of a domesticated animal?
A domesticated animal is generally gentle and submissive to human instruction.
When did humans start domesticating animals?
It is believed that humans began domesticating animals approximately 10,000 years ago.
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Sources:
This is a list of sources about the domestication of various animals, including dogs, cats, horses, and cattle. The sources come from a variety of places, such as encyclopedias, news articles, and academic journals. Some of the sources discuss the history and origins of domestication, while others focus on specific aspects, such as genetic imprints or mummification practices. Despite the range of topics, all of the sources contribute to our understanding of how humans have interacted with and shaped the animal world throughout history.
FAQ
1. What is animal domestication?
Animal domestication is a process of selecting and breeding animals for traits that are beneficial to humans. It involves the taming, training, and adaptation of animals to live with and serve humans.
2. How did animal domestication begin?
Animal domestication began around 10,000 years ago when humans started to settle down and farm instead of hunting and gathering. They realized that certain animals could be used for food, labor, and transportation, and started to selectively breed them for these purposes.
3. What are the benefits of animal domestication?
The benefits of animal domestication include a reliable source of food, transportation, and labor. Domesticated animals can also provide companionship and protection for humans.
4. What are some examples of domesticated animals?
Some examples of domesticated animals include dogs, cats, cattle, sheep, pigs, horses, and chickens.
5. How do humans select and breed domesticated animals?
Humans select and breed domesticated animals based on desired traits such as size, strength, speed, and temperament. They also choose animals that are easy to handle and can adapt to living with humans.
6. What is the difference between domesticated and wild animals?
The main difference between domesticated and wild animals is that domesticated animals have been bred and adapted to live with humans, while wild animals have not. Domesticated animals are also more docile and less aggressive than their wild counterparts.
7. Can any animal be domesticated?
No, not all animals can be domesticated. Animals that have been successfully domesticated have specific characteristics that make them suitable for living with humans.
8. What challenges do humans face when domesticating animals?
Humans face challenges such as disease, aggression, and reproduction when domesticating animals. They must also provide proper care and nutrition for the animals to ensure their health.
9. What is the role of animal domestication in modern society?
Animal domestication continues to play an important role in modern society by providing food, transportation, and labor. Domesticated animals also serve as companions and therapy animals.
10. What are the ethical considerations of animal domestication?
The ethical considerations of animal domestication include the welfare of the animals and the impact of domestication on the environment. It is important to ensure that animals are treated humanely and that their needs are met, while also considering the effects of domestication on ecosystems and biodiversity.
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