Domestication of animals

Definition

The domestication of animals refers to the process by which humans selectively breed and care for wild species, turning them into reliable sources of food, labor, or companionship. This significant development enabled societies to transition from nomadic lifestyles to more settled agricultural communities, allowing for population growth and the establishment of complex social structures.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Domestication began around 10,000 years ago during the Neolithic Revolution, marking a key transition in human history.
2. Commonly domesticated animals include sheep, goats, cattle, pigs, and chickens, each providing various resources like meat, milk, and wool.
3. The process of domestication involves not just breeding but also the adaptation of animals to live in close proximity to humans.
4. Domesticated animals played a crucial role in agricultural development by providing labor for plowing fields and transportation.
5. The relationship between humans and domesticated animals has led to significant changes in animal behavior and physiology over generations.

Review Questions

• How did the domestication of animals contribute to the development of early agricultural societies?
  • The domestication of animals allowed early agricultural societies to shift from nomadic hunting and gathering to settled farming. With reliable sources of meat, milk, and labor from domesticated animals like cattle and sheep, communities could produce surplus food. This surplus enabled population growth and supported the development of complex social structures, including trade networks and specialized labor.
• Discuss the role of selective breeding in the domestication process and its impact on animal behavior.
  • Selective breeding played a critical role in domestication by allowing humans to choose animals with desirable traits for reproduction. This practice led to significant changes in behavior, such as reduced aggression and increased docility. As a result, domesticated animals became more suitable for living alongside humans, facilitating their roles as companions or sources of labor and food.
• Evaluate the long-term effects of animal domestication on human societies and ecosystems.
  • The long-term effects of animal domestication have been profound, leading to significant advancements in agriculture and human society. Domesticated animals provided essential resources that supported larger populations and urbanization. However, this shift also impacted ecosystems by altering habitats through overgrazing and contributing to biodiversity loss. The reliance on specific species for food created vulnerabilities in human diets and economies that could be disrupted by disease or environmental changes.

Related terms

Agriculture: The practice of cultivating soil, growing crops, and raising animals for food, fiber, and other products used to sustain and enhance human life.

Selective Breeding: A method used in agriculture and animal husbandry where specific animals with desirable traits are chosen to reproduce, enhancing those traits in future generations.

Pastoralism: A form of subsistence agriculture that focuses on the raising and herding of livestock to provide food, clothing, and other resources.