Animal Science and Selection Vocabulary

Vocabulary flashcards generated from Animal Selection and Animal Science lecture notes, covering domestication terms, taxonomy, livestock terminology, and animal uses.

Domestication

To adapt an animal or plant to life in a close association with and to the advantage of man by modifying growth and traits through provision of food, protection from enemies, and selective breeding.

Wild Animal

An animal that exists without human intervention of any form, being genetically wild and behaviorally wild.

Tame Animal

An animal that was once wild and has adapted behaviorally to be useful to humans, remaining genetically wild but behaviorally domestic.

Domestic Animal

An animal that relies on humans for food and shelter, whose breeding is controlled through artificial selection, making it genetically domestic and behaviorally domestic.

Feral Animal

An animal that was previously domestic and returned to the wild, remaining genetically domestic but behaviorally wild.

Binomial System of Nomenclature

A two-name naming system created by Carl Linnaeus consisting of the genus and species of an organism.

Species

A group of closely related animals that can interbreed and produce fertile offspring.

Breed

Animals of common origin with characteristics that distinguish them from other groups within the same species.

Type

Animals of the same species that are grouped together based on the products they produce.

Replacement Animals

Animals kept or bought to replace aging-out females while improving or maintaining genetics.

Finish

The fat covering over the muscle in market livestock, which increases the chance of internal fat or marbling.

Feedable (Domestication Quality)

The trait of being able to convert plants into protein (herbivores) rather than requiring protein to produce protein (carnivores).

Fecund

A domestication quality referring to an animal's ability to reproduce well and produce many offspring.

Family (Domestication Quality)

The existence of a social hierarchy in animals, allowing humans to domesticate them by assuming leadership over the group.

Companion Animals

Animals kept primarily as pets that do not typically earn money for their owners.

Production Animals

Animals raised to produce food and fiber, usually as part of a business providing income.

Specialty Pet

Pets or animals outside of the most common domestic animals, excluding typical livestock, dogs, cats, and horses.

Exotic Pet

A rare or unusual pet that is generally considered a wild animal.

Service Animals

Animals trained to perform tasks and provide physical assistance to people, such as guide dogs, police dogs, medical alert dogs, and search dogs.

Therapy Animals

Animals that provide emotional bonding, confidence, and motivation in settings such as physical therapy, psychotherapy, or support for troubled youth.

Bos taurus

The scientific name (genus and species) for European Cattle.

Bos indicus

The scientific name (genus and species) for Indian Cattle.

Ovis aries

The scientific name (genus and species) for Sheep.

Sus scrofa domestica

The scientific name (genus and species) for Pigs.

Capra hircus

The scientific name (genus and species) for Goats.

Equus caballus

The scientific name (genus and species) for Horses.

Gallus domesticus

The scientific name (genus and species) for Chickens.

Oryctolagus cuniculus

The scientific name (genus and species) for Rabbits.

Canis familiaris

The scientific name (genus and species) for Dogs.

Felis catus

The scientific name (genus and species) for Cats.

Gilt

A young female pig until her 1st litter is born.

Heifer

A young female bovine (cattle) until her 1st calf is born.

Barrow

A castrated male pig.

Steer

A castrated male bovine (cattle).

Wether

A castrated male sheep or goat.

Gelding

A castrated male horse.

Capon

A castrated male chicken.

Shoat

A young male pig.

Clowder

A term used for a group of cats.