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Before the arrival of man, animals were free by nature. The domestication of animals caused their physical appearance and character to begin to change generation after generation. Examples of these are dogs and cats, which currently live with us as pets. It is important to know the similarities and differences between wild animals and domestic animals, especially to be able to explain it to children who learn about their environment and are our future. Therefore, in this Green Ecologist article we review the characteristics of wild and domestic animals.
Natural selection and adaptation to the environment of wild and domestic animals
The differences between these animals are in the adaptation of its functions. The ability to adapt to the environment that surrounds them is what defines the living beings of the planet, it is a evolution process, and the domestication of animals implies a different adaptation compared to animals that live in the wild.
But before considering this question, we must first talk about what distinguishes an animal that lives in the wild and that is its attitude and its general appearance. Although it is not possible to speak of all the species, it is possible to value some common aspects between them.
The first thing we can highlight in the wild animals attitude It is your caution when approaching new elements. This is because it can be a predator to some distraction that can leave them vulnerable to predators. Domestic animals do not show an attitude of caution at such a high level, since in their environment they are not used to dealing with predators.
The physical appearance of a wild animal it also stands out against that of a domestic animal. This is because most domestic animals use their fur and fur to camouflage themselves with their surroundings in order to stalk prey, in the case of predators. In the case of animals that are not predators, they can use camouflage to go unnoticed or have colors that give them an appearance of danger against predators. For example, a species can be poisonous and show it by bright colors. These "dangerous" colors can also be simulated by animals that survive by fooling the rest. In the case of domestic animals physical appearance has been changing more, reducing this camouflage factor in many cases and changing their appearance by the hand of man, as we have raised them according to our preferences to improve physical characteristics, according to the function we give them.
Domestication of animals and adaptation
The first animals that were domesticated by man they were the dogs, wild at that time. This is believed to have occurred at the time a male approached his species, sharing his food with a young cub or an adult individual. This process was repeated until they lost their fear of our species. The result of years of evolution after this process were the different species of domestic dogs, although today there are also wild dogs. But this process was not only done with dogs, it was also possible with wild cats and farm animals.
Unlike wild animals, The domestic animals they are losing that characteristic of freedom and curiosity that savages have and they tend not to stray too far from human beings. As for its fur, it is losing the rustic tone with which it adapts to the terrain to give rise to more varied tones. Also as an adaptation they can reduce their sizes or modify parts of their body to better adapt to the environment in which they live together with humans. For example, there are smaller dogs, some expressly bred and others as a slow but clear adaptation to living in increasingly tight flats or apartments in cities, rather than the open country. These adaptations are passed down through the generations, so the changes are perpetuated over time.
But not only change the appearance of pets, but also the attitude of domestic animals is modified compared to that of savages. Thus, domestic animals show a drop in their aggressiveness towards human beings and towards other elements, whether they are alive or not. Some breeds can even exhibit a more childish attitude, which increases their potential as a companion animal. For example, here you can see The best dog breeds for children.
Main characteristics of wild and domestic animals that differentiate them
In conclusion, it can be said that wild animals are more aggressive and more adapted to the environment that surrounds them, while domestic animals have adapted to the functions that humans have given them generation after generation.
Thus, for example, dogs are the loyal companions of the human being and are capable of fulfilling each of the orders that are given to them, getting to be able to enjoy a unique relationship if they are treated as companions and not as tools. In the case of birds, they are usually raised as a quick and easily accessible food source, thus avoiding a wild environment and the process of competition for hunting.
Thus, each species adapts to the different function it has in the ecosystem and humans have modified several for our benefit, while others have emerged as if they were a symbiosis, such as the case of domestic cats that were the ones who approached human settlements from the first moment because it was easier for them to find food .
If you want to read more articles similar to Characteristics of wild and domestic animals, we recommend that you enter our category of Pets.
