Which pet belongs to. Pets: types, origin, interesting facts
Every child dreams of a living creature living at home. And let it be small, but still its own, dear. The list of pets in alphabetical order - this is exactly what I want to talk about in this article.
aquarium fish
It is they who can open the list. It is worth noting that they have a lot of advantages. So, they can be started by those people who are rarely at home and disappear at work. After all, it is not necessary to feed these living creatures often, it is extremely simple to care for them. These are unpretentious and always silent pets that will definitely not tire you with their presence. A huge plus is that you can put a wide variety of fish into the aquarium: from the usual guppies to scary exotic piranhas. In addition, it is worth remembering that aquarium fish perfectly calm the nervous system and inspire pleasant thoughts. So they even, it turns out, are even good for health.
cats
Often these pets become members of the family. The list is replenished without fail by cats and cats. So, they have a huge number of advantages:
- The size. They are small and do not take up much space.
- Affectionate. Cats can comfort the owner in moments of grief. They always try to be closer to a person, subtly feel the mood. And some people say that cats also heal alone with their presence.
- Well trained. They can be accustomed to the tray, a special diet and life. A trained cat is never a problem.
- Love. Cats give warmth, they make the owner return home as soon as possible. After all, their favorite affectionate animal is waiting for them there.
- Nutrition. Cats eat everything that normal people do. They don't need a special diet.
However, not everything is so good and rosy. Cats also often have a lot of problems. First of all, these animals can carry various diseases. In addition, their wool is often a source of allergies. And, of course, it is very difficult to remove from the carpet and clothes. Cats can shit in the corners, scratch and tear furniture (use it as a scratching post). Some cats are very picky eaters. Well, they can scratch and otherwise injure a person.
rabbits
There are also small pets, rabbits can add to this list. As they say, this is not only valuable fur ... Such living creatures have many advantages. They are quiet, do not take up much space, do not require special care. Just periodically they will have to clean the cage. The rabbit eats vegetables that are inexpensive. They love affection and a close relationship with the owner. But rabbits also have a list of disadvantages. Yes, they don't last long. No more than a couple of years. So if there is a small child at home, the death of such living creatures can leave a mark on the soul of the baby for many years. In addition, it should be noted that rabbits need to be carefully looked after, because if they are sent for a walk around the house, they can gnaw through everything that gets in their way. It is important to note that rabbits still get sick quite often, so they will have to be taken to the veterinarian periodically.
Parrot
Let's take a look at the types of pets. The list is filled with parrots. So, these are mostly small-sized birds that are very unpretentious in food and care. They love to sing, which brings joy to others (but can also cause some inconvenience). Their food is extremely simple, feed is inexpensive. The cage must be cleaned periodically, but this is not difficult.
Dog
What other pets are there? The list must be continued by the dog. After all, as you know, this is a friend of man! The dog has a number of advantages. This is not only a friend in life, but also a security guard, and to some extent even an assistant. After all, there are guide dogs, nanny dogs, and so on. Such a pet can be chosen according to different parameters: size, color, functionality. If the dog is properly trained, there will be no trouble with him: neither in the process of keeping, nor in food. There are very few negatives. So, the downside is that dogs can bite and attack a person (if they are poorly trained), they can also dirty and spoil furniture. You still need to walk with them periodically (if the dog lives in an apartment).
Hamsters
There are also quite small pets. The list in this case is replenished by hamsters and rats. To keep them, you will need to purchase a cage. In food, these pets are completely unpretentious. However, they love the warmth and affection of a person, so they will have to pay some attention. For such living creatures, you also need to buy certain toys. Mice, for example, are more active, they need to do something for days. You also need to remember that the life span of such pets is short. Children should be warned about this in advance.
Turtles
Understanding what kind of pets there are, turtles close the list. It is worth noting that this living creature is also attached to a person and loves attention. It is easy to keep them, their nutrition is also extremely simple. In addition, such a pet will live for a long time, so it risks becoming a full-fledged member of the family.
Exotic animals
What other pets are there? The list can be replenished by various exotic representatives.
- Snake. For its maintenance, you will need an aquarium, as well as a special diet. The advantage of snakes is that they do not require special care, frequent feeding and attention.
- Spiders. Everything that is written about snakes can be said about them. Also unpretentious. They do not spoil furniture, do not litter, and in the case of guests, they are detained for a long time near the aquarium. What more could you ask for? Great pet.
- Lizards. To keep this pet you will need a terrarium. It is also important to provide day and night lighting. In food they are unpretentious. But it can be difficult to find a veterinarian. After all, not all people know how to treat such exotic creatures.
- Madagascar cockroaches. They are much larger than their relatives, which our compatriots are used to seeing in their kitchens. They are also unpretentious in food. Not noisy, although they create a special hiss that can be unpleasant.
In the article I will talk about the most popular types of pets, what options there are and give a list.
List of pets
The variety of pets allows you to choose a pet for every taste and color for the home, but even this does not stop exotic lovers, forcing them to look for more and more sophisticated options.
Consider the most popular animals that are kept at home.
Cat
The image of a cat is always associated with grace and love of freedom.
This is the only animal that has not submitted to human attempts to domesticate.
All cats can be divided into 3 large groups according to the type of coat:
Shorthair
Long-legged cats with short hair do not take much time to care for and are divided into 3 types:
- European. This type includes plush and aristocratic, restless and representatives - widespread cats with a classic striped color. Europeans get along well with dogs, but dislike birds and rodents.
- Oriental. Refined Asian women (,) are famous for their intelligence and ingenuity, require respectful treatment and quickly become attached to their owners. Always consider the touchiness and vindictiveness of Asian cats. Remember that Siamese and small children are not compatible.
- American. American women are friendly, independent and playful. Rounded outlines and thick coat add visual volume to the well-balanced proportions. Representatives of the American type get along well with children, but it is better not to leave them with babies. A shy pet will not offend a flirtatious baby, but it may suffer itself.
american shorthair Longhair
Miniature, attached to a person and in need of reverent care.
They don't handle loneliness well.
Chihuahua Pinscher and Schnauzer
Complimentary and smart. They need mandatory training and an experienced owner.
Terriers
Active and friendly dogs bred for burrow hunting. Suitable for apartment living.
Dachshunds
- German hunting dogs, similar in character to a terrier. They have high devotion and intelligence.
cops
(pointer, setter). Another type of hunting dog with a calm and docile disposition.
Greyhounds
They are capricious and stubborn, hard to train and not suitable for beginners.
The largest representatives (,) of the dog family are included in the group of pinschers and schnauzers. Despite their impressive size, the breeds are distinguished by a good disposition and love for children.
The average life span of dogs varies from 10 to 13 years. Long-livers include representatives of small breeds.
Rabbits for the home
A great alternative to the usual four-legged ones.
Can be divided according to the length of the coat:
- long-haired (angora, fox, ram, squirrel);
- short-haired (butterflies, rex, dutch, hermelins).
If an eared pet is selected for a child, then wayward butterflies, aggressive female hermelins and phlegmatic rexes are best avoided.
Unlike wild counterparts, domesticated rabbits live up to 12 years.
Rodents as pets
The list of the most popular rodents for home keeping includes:
Mice and rats
They are smart, easy to train and quickly become attached to the owner. Life expectancy is about 2 years.
Nocturnal animals that require careful and reverent attitude. They prefer separate living and minimal contact with outsiders. Live no more than 3 years.
Guinea pigs
Unlike rats, which have a bad reputation, they have an attractive appearance, as well as a peaceful and trusting disposition. With a careful attitude, they are given into the hands of not only adults, but also the smallest owners.
Squirrels
Nimble, inquisitive and graceful. The content is not whimsical.
Chinchillas
Large representatives of rodents characterized by increased shyness. They are not suitable for children and require careful grooming.
Long-livers among disassembled rodents include guinea pigs and squirrels that can live for about 10 years.
Reptiles for a child
Cold-blooded reptiles did not do without attempts at domestication. The group of the most popular reptiles includes:
snakes
For home maintenance, small snakes (no more than 1.5 m) are recommended, which are distinguished by the absence of aggression and tiny teeth that are unable to cause serious damage. Do not buy snakes from your hands. A small snake can grow into a dangerous and poisonous animal.
lizards
They require reverent content, are prone to colds and are easily injured. Peace and quiet are important for them, so communication with young children is not safe for them.
Turtles
The most unpretentious reptiles living in terrariums or aquaterrariums.
Of the presented reptiles, snakes that can live up to 40 years have the longest life span.
The lifespan of those kept at home is usually shorter than in the wild. The figure for lizards depends on the size (larger representatives are among centenarians).
Birds
The most popular domesticated birds include:
Wild animals
Among wild birds, the most popular are:
owls
The popularization of feathered pets occurred after the Harry Potter films. Despite the fabulous appearance and mysterious "ears", such a bird is not suitable for everyone.
Do not purchase an unringed bird without documents. The lack of necessary ammunition is the main sign of poaching.
Domestic tame owls Barnacle Raven Other types
Options for home exotics depend not only on the imagination, but also on the breeder's finances:
- Foxes. The cost of foxes varies from 30 to 50 thousand rubles. When purchasing a furry animal, it is important to consider its danger to other pets. If the danger of a fox is similar to that of a wolf, then its waywardness resembles that of a cat. The fluffy beauty is against familiarity and is given into hands only in a good mood.
- Crocodiles. Depending on the size of the reptile, the issue price can reach up to 60 thousand rubles. Don't believe in the existence of little crocodiles. The minimum size of an adult animal is at least 1.5m. For safety, a toothy pet is kept exclusively in a terrarium.
- Monkeys. Prices for monkeys start at 65 thousand rubles and, depending on the species, can reach up to 500 thousand rubles. Keeping such animals without an aviary will not work because of their dominant behavior. The owner of the monkey will have to constantly defend his rights as the leader of the pack.
- Anteaters. A clean and calm animal with a funny proboscis and a friendly disposition is steadily gaining popularity in the United States. The cost of an outlandish beast reaches 350 thousand rubles. Strong paws with tenacious claws in the lung open the door of the refrigerator.
- Tigers. Not all cat lovers have enough exotic bengals and savannahs, so they get real tigers as a pet. The price of a striped pet, reaching up to 2 million rubles (and in the case of buying a white tiger, up to 9 million rubles), is available to units. A wild cat is born at the age of a kitten. When feeding, it is important to avoid the use of raw meat, which can provoke suppressed predatory instincts.
In conclusion, I note that before buying a pet, it is important to consider all the advantages and disadvantages of the species:
- large pets will have to be kept in a spacious area;
- decorative breeds require frequent veterinary control;
- exotic animals require increased security measures;
- reptiles will have to purchase special UV lamps.
Remember that having a pet is a big responsibility.
Do not purchase an animal unless you are sure that it is properly maintained.
Keeping a pet is a gigantic responsibility that requires a huge amount of hard work and dedication, which, frankly, is not available to everyone. On the other hand, choosing a pet is a breeze, because it usually comes down to choosing between a dog and a cat (or a fish, if you're as mundane as tattered wallpaper). But don't you think it's wrong in some way? After all, the choice of pets should be more than the number of sides of a coin, and if you think so too, you are absolutely right, because it is. In fact, there are dozens of wonderful and completely legal alternative pets that you can go out and buy right now:
10. Mini pigs
After all the ways to make bacon flavored ice cream, perfumes and candles, it's finally time for people to want to have it as a pet. Thus, mini-pigs appeared, hitting the eardrums of men or women everywhere in the world.
Mini gilts are also known as mini gilts, micro gilts and tick-up gilts, but the name is not as important. The important thing is that they are cuter than five puppies hugging a teddy bear at the same time, and are also one of the strongest arguments in favor of switching to a vegetarian diet. However, not only are they charmingly cute faces, they are just as smart, if not smarter than dogs, and develop affection for humans just as easily.
The only negative is that less scrupulous breeders often pass ordinary pigs off as miniatures, which, unfortunately, only becomes apparent when your pink micro miracle turns into a 200-kilogram pig that takes up half your living room. Also, the micro hog mania seems to have been started by Paris Hilton, which slightly lessens the enjoyment of having them.
9. Starling
The common or European starling is a small bird with black and speckled feathers that some people sometimes keep as a pet. In addition, starlings can talk.
Well, not really, to be precise. Starlings actually only have the ability to imitate the frequently repeated phrases and natural sounds of their own environment, which parrots essentially do. But to be honest, if you ever see or hear a talking bird that doesn't look like an immigrant from the Brazilian forest, your first thought probably won't be "Oh my God, what a beautiful example of bird mimicry", but rather "This bird just spoke ? Bring the holy water!”
But the ability to scare your friends and family is not the only reason to keep a starling, as they are very playful creatures and quickly bond with their owners, combining dog-like adoration with the ability to fly and repeat your favorite mats. However, it is worth taking into account the fact that these birds poop a lot, for about 20 years.
8 Imperial Scorpion
The Emperor Scorpion (Pendinus imperator) is the closest creature to a real Pokémon: a 10cm armored arachnid with giant claws and a comically exaggerated stinger at the end of its tail. And you can buy one for yourself today ... and for good reason.
In fairness, emperor scorpions are actually very gentle creatures, which (given their intimidating appearance) practically makes them the Michael Clarke Duncan of the animal kingdom. They don't require extremely much care, and their stings aren't fatal to humans (unless you're allergic to venom), so if you've ever had the urge to own Mother Nature's own miniature embodiment of fear, the emperor scorpion - this is the best variant.
Also, if you put it in the same aquarium as the action figures and turn on the heavy metal, you can recreate the entire plot of the Clash of the Titans remake.
7. Eared hedgehog
Long-eared (or Egyptian) hedgehogs are not only one of the cutest alternative pets, but they are also candidates for the "Easiest Animal to Photoshop" title. But while they may look like the result of a pair of bunny ears hastily placed on everyone's favorite prickly mouse, these prickly bunnies are actually quite real and perfectly legal to keep as pets in most countries.
Hedgehogs are generally considered timid and peaceful creatures, and their big-eared variant is no exception. However, they are considered to be quite difficult pets because they are not as easy to tame as regular pets and you will need to put in a lot of effort to properly acclimate them to an apartment and a person. However, once you can do that, hedgehogs are said by many of their breeders to be very interactive and easy to handle, and their only downside is that hedgehogs don't really like to curl up into balls and roll around collecting gold coins. or fighting armies of animal robots.
6. Skunk
Unlike hedgehogs, it turns out that pop culture didn't lie to us about skunk behavior, because pet skunks, like Pepe le Pew, are curious, stubborn, and require a ton of affection. Despite this, they are less harmful, making them a great alternative to dogs and cats. In addition, it is important to note that their odorous glands are surgically removed at an early age.
There are many places in North America where you can buy a pet skunk, you just need to make sure that their keeping is legal in your country. In fact, there is no reason not to want to have such a miracle. Skunks are not only incredibly smart, they also love petting so much that they can even turn into "couch skunks" (according to professional breeders), constantly asking to be in your lap. You probably didn’t suspect this about skunks, live forever, learn forever.
5. Madagascar hissing cockroach
On the list of what makes a good pet, cockroaches sit somewhere between rusty razor blades and Siberian wolves. Add to that the ability to make distinct hissing noises, and the Madagascan hissing cockroach becomes more like devastating proof that there is no god...as you should have guessed by now.
Firstly, there is something incredibly cool about having as a pet a creature that can survive a nuclear strike or having its head removed. In addition, the Madagascan hissing cockroach is also an amazing rock climber, able to climb up smooth glass with no problem, making it the insect love product between Wolverine and Spider-Man. Given its rather peaceful nature, it is not surprising that the Madagascar hissing cockroach is often considered an excellent first pet, although in some states of America they require a special license to keep. Also, if you wake up in the middle of the night to your cockroaches hissing at you from a dark corner of the room, you will most likely never stop screaming.
4. Dwarf goat
Do you have a private yard? Are you tired of dogs but want something like them to ward off the inevitable realization that no one loves you? Then let the dwarf goat or goat fill the sadness center of your brain with pure and sugary tenderness.
As the name implies, pygmy goats are tiny versions of nature's favorite bean-eyed garbage packers, and today they are bred exclusively as pets. Dwarf goats are very curious creatures, constantly demanding tons of love and attention, so if you cannot provide them, you need to check if you have not had your heart removed, you are an insensitive monster. Their advantage is not only that they are very sociable and playful, but also that they can adapt to almost any environment / food, so if you cannot love them for their cuteness, you can at least respect them for their survivability like Rambo.
However, it should be taken into account that in most countries they are considered cattle, so it is worth familiarizing yourself with local laws before deciding to get yourself such a charm.
3 Prairie Dog
Prairie dogs exist because someone once bet god that he couldn't cross a puppy with a rat and get something that looked absolutely adorable. That man apparently lost, and prairie dogs continue to populate the Earth and the living rooms of the happiest pet owners on the planet.
Prairie dogs are technically rodents, but their main characteristic is the affection they quickly develop for humans. If a prairie dog is taken early enough, it will immediately mistake you for a mother and become attached to you forever (which is why the Batmans hire Robins at such an early age). After that, according to their breeders, you will live with a hyper active puppy that never grows up, which is exactly what everyone has been asking scientists for the past few hundred years.
2. Sugar glider
Just look at this incredibly charming creature in the photo. This is not a real animal, but actually Mort (Mort), a character from the Madagascar cartoons, voiced by Andy Richter (Andy Richter). But the main thing is that in fact, the sugar glider exists in real life, and you can get it right now, because it is already clear that you would like to have one for yourself. However, if you have already fallen in love with this Australian opossum and named him Sir Fluffy Tail, get ready to shell out a tidy sum, because sugar gliders are still considered exotic animals, which usually cost much more than ordinary animals (this rule also applies to dancers) .
But while they are quite expensive, and even more expensive to keep, their overall level of fluffiness, cuteness, and playful disposition may convince you to skip a few dental appointments in order to truly enjoy owning your very own sugar glider. . And before you ask, yes, they can actually fly short distances through the air.
1. Fox
Would you like to have a fox? Yes? Good news for you then: you can do it, and it's all thanks to the Soviet Union.
The thing is, we've beaten around the bush about the fact that, in fact, any animal can become a pet if tamed. Even the puny Chihuahuas were once powerful wolves, bred to be the size of a pocket rat dog that knows its place and, for that reason, can be kept as a pet. So the question is, why can't we domesticate foxes? Because it will take “hundreds, maybe thousands of years”? Come on, you clearly underestimate the Soviet people and their ability to spit on all sorts of "facts" or "logic". Just look at the Soviet geneticist Dmitri Belyaev, who has been hard at work trying to breed domestic foxes in Siberia since 1959... and he apparently succeeded.
Here's something to understand about foxes: even if you buy a bag of "tamed" foxes in any other part of the world, they will still be wild animals that will pounce on your face and dignity if you try to dress them up in a Robin Hood costume. So what about Belyaev's domesticated foxes? These foxes are just real pets, whose front paws you can freely take and make them dance with you ... although, of course, you shouldn’t do this, and not because it will scare the poor animals, but because it’s how you treat them with an animal worth about 8 thousand dollars, probably not worth it.
A few thousand years ago, ancient man took the first steps to tame wild animals in order to use them for their own purposes. And today it is already difficult to imagine our life without pets, as if they have always been faithful companions of people. Initially, man sought to get something of value from animals, providing them with shelter and food. However, according to anthropology, in ancient times they also served as a source of aesthetic pleasure.
Pets are animals that a person has tamed, caring for them and providing them with food. All domesticated species and artificially bred breeds were used for material gain or pleasure. They became good companions for a person, brightening up his life. The process of reproduction of animals easily takes place even outside natural conditions. By controlling it, people create breeds with the desired properties.
Interesting! Alternative medicine has long been marked by the ability of animals to heal people. Cats are the most successful in this. Scientists explain the effectiveness of cat therapy by the ability of this animal to create a unique electromagnetic field with low-frequency currents thanks to its thin and soft fur. This allows the cat to act on the source of inflammation and pain, destroy microbes.
Scientists have proven that petting an animal is not only pleasant, but also useful. During the bioenergetic contact that occurs in this case, the central nervous system of people receives special impulses that cause positive emotions and improve mood. Therefore, communication with cats is especially important for psychological disorders and stress.
Types of pets
Domestic animals are conditionally divided into two groups.
- The first includes agricultural species used in everyday life and allowing to obtain natural products and materials. For example, goats and cows provide a person with food: milk and meat, as well as wool and skin. But horses, despite the appearance of various mechanisms, are still used as a labor force for the transport of goods and a means of transportation.
- The second group includes all the animals that people have in the first place for communication and leisure activities. Cats, fish, rodents and dogs are just some of the pets living at home. Like agricultural species, they too can be used for material gain. For example, many breeds of cats and dogs are highly valued on the market, so some owners are engaged in breeding and selling offspring. But most often, such pets, first of all, become full-fledged members of the family and a friend of a person. They help to cope with a bad mood, fight loneliness and stress.
The most devoted friend of a person living at home has become a dog. There is an opinion that, unlike cats, it is more attached to a person. Cases are widely known when, after the death of the owner, the dogs could not find a place for themselves, yearning, and even died, unable to bear the separation. Similarly, many people experience the loss of a pet that has become a full-fledged member of the family very hard. On average, dogs live for about 10 years, so you need to be prepared for the fact that the animal will not always be able to stay around.
When deciding to get a dog, you should also know that it needs constant care. Regular walks and feeding are only a small part of care. It is important to immediately decide on the breed, because each has its own characteristics. The nature of the animal and the kind of care required depend on them.
Dogs of decorative breeds are brought up exclusively as pets: for the sake of pleasure and communication. They don't do any work in a person's life. These include, for example, lapdogs, Yorkshire terriers, miniature pinschers, Pomeranians. Some of them were bred from large dogs as a result of breeding with a decrease in size. With proper upbringing, representatives of decorative breeds are non-aggressive, pleasant in communication, easily make contact with people and other animals. In addition, they lend themselves well to training.
Another large group of breeds is formed by dogs that were originally used as hunting and guard dogs: shepherd dogs, spaniels, pointers, poodles, greyhounds, dachshunds, bull terriers. Gradually, many of them began to play exclusively the role of pets, as well as decorative species. 
Interesting! The smallest dog in the world is the Chihuahua, weighing only half a kilogram. At the withers, it reaches 10 cm. But the English mastiff was recognized as the largest representative among dogs. The weight of males of this breed exceeds 100 kg. With impressive size, English mastiffs have a fairly peaceful character and get along well with children.
Along with dogs, the “companion animal” includes the cat. It is valued both for its sociability and for its ability to catch rodents. The life expectancy of cats, like dogs, averages 10-15 years. But there are also unique cases. 
Interesting! Among animals, too, there are centenarians. So, one cat in the UK is already about 40, which by human standards is more than 170 years old! Her predecessor, also listed in the Guinness Book of Records, lived to be 38 years old.
Today there are a large number of breeds of cats. The main feature in their classification is usually the length of the coat. Many breeds have their own unique traits. So, Scottish fold cats are distinguished by their characteristic forward-curved ears, the Canadian and Don Sphynxes are completely devoid of hair, but in representatives of the Cornish Rex it curls. Crossbreeding of wild and domesticated species has led to such interesting breeds as the Savannah and Bengal cat.
farm animals
Farm animals bring the greatest benefit in everyday life to humans. Most of them are able to live not only in favorable conditions created by people, but also adapt to various changes, due to which they are bred almost everywhere. These types include sheep, horses, cows, pigs. Some farm animals such as camel or llama, on the contrary, can only live in certain geographical areas. For this reason, it is more difficult to keep them in other areas, since it is necessary to create conditions close to natural.
Farm animals provide a person with natural products: milk, eggs, meat. Leather and wool, down and feathers are highly valued. The most consumed meat is pork. It is also often considered the most delicious, as compared to beef, for example, it is fatter and softer. Pigs are quite unpretentious in terms of keeping and food, give a large offspring, so they are most often bred for slaughter. In addition to meat, bristles and skin are also obtained.
The cow is the breadwinner of the family, as Russian peasants used to say. Every day, she is able to give several liters of milk, from which fermented milk products, butter, and cheese are then obtained. Man has achieved success even in the domestication of insects - bees, thanks to which he was able to get honey, propolis, wax.
Interesting! More and more people, for various reasons, have recently given up meat, becoming vegetarians. However, blindly following this fashion trend is extremely dangerous for health. Meat is a source of essential amino acids. They are needed for the construction of antibodies that provide protection against pathogens of various diseases, including cancer. When you refuse meat, essential amino acids cease to enter the body, immunity decreases, which causes the development of infections.
In the economy, animals also participate in agricultural work, transport heavy loads and people. Horses are usually used for this purpose. At stud farms, they are kept and bred to participate in races, equestrian sports. For lovers of horses, the mere communication with them gives great pleasure.
domestication of animals
Little information about the domestication of wild animals has survived to this day, but it is known that the dog is considered the first tamed pet living in the house. In ancient times, she played the role of a companion for a person. Thanks to its excellent learning and training abilities, the dog eventually began to guard the house, participate in hunting and grazing. In some countries, attempts have been made to tame the weasel to fight rats and mice. However, she did not adapt well to life in captivity, and over time, cats came to replace her.
Interesting! Whether cats are fully domesticated remains an open question. They still retain the habits of their wild relatives, although for many thousands of years they have already lived next to humans. Unlike dogs, they are not so strongly attached to a person, remaining independent. According to one point of view, for cats, coexistence next to a person is just an opportunity to live in good conditions, continuing to hunt birds and rodents. But there is an opinion that this proud animal, like a dog, is able to establish emotional contact with the owner and feel a sense of affection.
It is believed that most domestic animals descended from representatives living in the wild. Tour was the ancestor of cattle. But from whom the dog originated is not known exactly. It could be a wolf, a jackal, or even a coyote. The wild sheep, the moufflon and the mountain sheep are considered as the ancestors of the sheep. The exact time of domestication of animals has not been established. Rock paintings testify that already in ancient times, people had tamed pets. However, when exactly this happened is still a mystery.
Pet breeding
Domesticated animals breed well in captivity. Their offspring do not need to be tamed again. From birth, pets adopt the habits of their mother and easily make contact with a person. In the case of farm animals, reproduction is an opportunity to obtain more valuable products. But the appearance of offspring in cats and dogs is often undesirable for the owners. Therefore, many owners castrate and sterilize their pets.
Breeders have long taken advantage of the ability of domestic animals to reproduce easily through crossbreeding. It allows you to breed new breeds with the desired properties. Work with farm animals is mainly carried out to increase their fertility, food potential, and weight. For example, in the middle of the last century, the goal was to get a dairy and meat breed of cows that would quickly gain weight. So the Kostroma breed appeared. The goal was achieved: cows produce a record amount of milk (about 10,000 kg per year) and meat.
Breeding work is also carried out to obtain breeds that can live in specific conditions. In the desert steppes of Kazakhstan, sheep did not gain weight well due to poor food. Therefore, it became necessary to obtain a new breed that would be able to adapt to such difficult conditions, to feed fat well in them. As a result, edilbaev sheep were bred.
Interesting! Dwarf animals are often not a mutation, but the result of the painstaking work of scientists. The miniature breed of cows, bred in India, requires much less space for keeping and feeding. At the same time, the animals retained their productivity. The quality of their milk and meat is no worse than the products obtained from ordinary cows. But mini-pigs are a decorative breed of pigs. Their mass does not exceed several tens of kilograms, while ordinary pigs can weigh several hundred! The little pygmy pig is shy and requires special care. But if you tame it, then it becomes affectionate and obedient. The mini pig can be petted like a cat or dog. Unlike these animals, it is unpretentious in food, does not shed, and its short coat does not cause allergies. This is an ideal pet for those who choose an active lifestyle, because daily walks are a must for a pygmy pig.
When taming pets, it is important to remember that you should be responsible for them, provide them with proper care and care. Then pets will become reliable friends and helpers of their owner.
Our pets are so well known to everyone and everyone that it would seem completely unnecessary to define this concept more precisely.
However, we still must first of all agree who exactly we will understand in the future under this name. Indeed, should we include here all those animals that live with man, or only some of them that differ in some special features? Will an accidentally tamed squirrel, a starling, etc., even if all these forms are completely tame, be a domestic animal, or should this name be understood only as animals that constantly cohabit with a person, such as a horse, a dog, etc.?
a strictly economic goal, a definite benefit to animals, and this is precisely the majority of our domestic animals, like horses, cows, sheep, pigs, chickens, ducks, and many others. However, sometimes a person, taming animals, did not mean to derive any benefit from them, but only pleasure; such, for example, are goldfish, canaries, which undoubtedly must also be classified as domestic animals. Thus, taming by a person for some specific purpose is a characteristic feature of every domestic animal, making it easy to distinguish it from all other forms.
But, on the basis of this characteristic, are we right to include here absolutely all those animals that man tames, sometimes purely by accident, such as the squirrels, starlings, etc., mentioned above? Certainly not, for each of these tamed forms must enter into closer communion with its master before it can be considered worthy of the name.
Between a person and any of the real domestic animals, relationships are usually established in which a person, deriving benefit or pleasure from him, takes care of this animal, provides him with accommodation, food, etc. However, all this is less typical and takes place in relation to to all randomly tamed forms. Much more characteristic here is something else, namely, that man controls the reproduction of real domestic animals, which easily and constantly breed in captivity.
The latter feature is also very important and makes it easy to distinguish a real pet from all forms that accidentally fall into human hands. Everyone knows how rare it is for real wild animals to give birth in captivity, even in the best zoological gardens. Sometimes the latter occurs even in large predators, like a tiger, a lion, but still rather, as an exception, and most wild forms do not breed at all in captivity. The same thing happens with animals accidentally tamed by man, and it takes a lot of time, energy, and some other special conditions for a newly tamed animal to begin to multiply as easily and regularly as all forms tamed from time immemorial. It is remarkable that even the elephant, tamed in India for many centuries, breeds extremely rarely in captivity, which is why it cannot be considered a real domestic animal.
Having agreed on exactly what features characterize real domestic animals (taming for a specific purpose by a person and constant reproduction in captivity), we have thereby closely limited the number of forms suitable for this concept. These include, from mammals or animals, firstly, our common farm animals - horse, cow, sheep, goat, pig, and also some purely local forms - donkey, yak, buffalo, reindeer and camel; secondly, the dog and the cat, and finally the rabbit and some other rodents bred primarily for the purpose of various experiments in laboratories (guinea pigs, white mice and rats). Domestic birds include pigeons, chickens, peacocks, guinea fowls, turkeys, ducks, geese, swans and canaries. Finally, among the other groups of the animal kingdom, the domestic animals include the goldfish, the mulberry butterfly, and perhaps the bee.
As can be seen from this list, the number of forms that have been tamed by man and become real domestic animals is very small: in general, it does not exceed 30. However, this number may subsequently increase because some forms will probably be included in the number of domestic animals in the future. So, at the present time, one might say, before our eyes, the domestication of ostriches and zebras is proceeding with rapid steps, and, probably, the time is not far off when they can be considered real domestic animals. It is very likely that in the future man will be able to tame and domesticate some other forms that are useful or pleasant to him.
The real domestic animals listed by us above, with which we will deal only in the future, are among the most famous of the entire animal kingdom. These are precisely the forms with most of which each of us, while still a child, began his first acquaintance with the world of living beings around us; them. lifestyle, all habits and habits, attracted our attention either by direct observation or from stories, when we became more consciously interested in howling, which catches our eye; finally, it is precisely these forms that one tries to focus on in teaching at school, whether they are discussed in the first subject lessons or in a systematic course in zoology.
However, there is one side that concerns all our domestic forms, and, moreover, the side is perhaps the most interesting, but usually remains somehow more in the shadows and is little known in general: this is the question of origin of pets. To acquaint the reader with this deeply interesting question is our task here.
If you find an error, please highlight a piece of text and click Ctrl+Enter.