Domestication
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Most of the domestic animals familiar to us today were domesticated
not long after people began farming and living in permanent settlements, between 8000 and 2500 BC. 15,000 years ago Dogs Canis familiaris Asia and possibly elsewhere Domestic dogs are descended from wolves (Canis lupus). 10,000 years ago Sheep Ovis aries Middle East 8,000 years ago Pigs Sus scrofa Middle East and possibly China 8,000 years ago Cattle Bos taurus Middle East 6,000 years ago Zebu Cattle Bos indicus Pakistan Cattle were domesticated more than once, from different branches of the species Bos primigenius, or aurochs. One branch became Bos taurus, the domestic cattle that live in Europe and North America today. Another became Bos indicus, the humped cattle shown here. 6,000 years ago Horses Equus caballus Central Asia The DNA of domestic horses is very diverse. This suggests they may have been domesticated in more than one place, from several different wild horse populations. 4,500 years ago Llamas Lama glama Peru Like sheep, cattle, and horses, llamas are naturally social. Domestic llama herds are often allowed to roam freely, and over the centuries, they have probably interbred many times with their wild relative, the guanaco (Lama guanicoe). |
The Russian Experiment
The Fox Question https://www.nationalgeographic.com/magazine/2011/03/animal-domestication.html |
