Human & Animal Relationships (Lecture I)

Wild Animal

Animals that usually live in their natural environment and have had minimal to no human-related genetic manipulation

Domestic Animals

Large subset of previously wild animals that have undergone selective breeding over many generations that resulted in 1 or more changes

What categories of changes are there that differentiate a domestic animal from a wild animal? (3)

• Physical differences from wild relatives

  • Body size and hair covering pigs

• Behavioral differences from wild relatives

  • Wolves hunt in packs while dogs don’t

• Physiological differences from wild relatives

  • Przewalski Horse has 66 chromosomes while horses have 64

Tame Animals

An individual wild, domestic, or feral animal that has learned not too fear 1 or more humans and does not flee from their approach

Feral Animals

A large subset of previously domesticated animals that have undergone reverse domestication over many generations that resulted in physical, behavior, or physiological changes

• Ex: wild dog of the Carolinas or Dingo

Community

A free-living group of domestic animals that are not owned and have limited interaction with people

• “feral” often misapplied

When did domestication of animals begin?

As the nomadic lifestyle gave way to permanent shelters and farming

• ~10,000-15,000ya in Iran & Iraq

What are the desired traits for domestication? (9)

1. Human Need

2. Group Structure

3. Promiscuous Mating

4. Multiple Estrous Cycles

5. Clear Sexual Readiness Signals

6. Easily Tamed

7. Generalized Diets

8. Adaptable to a wide range of environments

9. Limited Agility

When were dogs domesticated?

~12,000-15,000ya

What is the wild ancestor of modern domesticated dogs?

Gray Wolves

Why did humans domesticate dogs?

Used natural traits to help hunting

When did selective breeding of dogs start?

1100ya

When were sheep and goats domesticated?

9,000-10,500ya

What is the ancestor of modern day sheep?

Wild Asiatic Mouflon

What is the ancestor of the modern domesticated goat?

Bezoar Goat

What were sheep and goats domesticated for? (3)

Meat, Milk, and Clothing

When were cattle domesticated?

8,000-10,000ya

What is the ancestor of the modern day domesticated humpless cattle?

European Auroch

What is the ancestor of the modern domesticated humped cattle?

Indian Auroch

Why were cattle domesticated?

• Religiopolitical

  • Associated with strength, domination, and fertility

  • Sacrifice & barter

• Draft, blood, meat

  • Milk later

When were pigs domesticated?

8,000ya

What is the ancestor of the modern domesticated pig?

Wild Boar

Why were pigs domesticated?

Meat

• not prized until nomads became farmers

When were horses domesticated?

5,000-6,000ya

Why were horses domesticated? (3)

• Meat

• Milk

• Transportation

  • War chariots

  • Herding other species

When were cats domesticated?

2,000-3,000ya

What is the ancestor of the modern domesticated cat?

African Wild Cat

Why were cats domesticated? (3)

• Mouse traps for granaries

• Bastet (idealized as a god)

• Associated with the moon goddess

How did cats become domesticated?

Self domestication

True or False: Domesticated animals would not exist without a human need.

TRUE

What are the different societal views of animals? (4)

• Pastorialism

• Agrarianism

• Romanticism

• Industrialism

Pastorialism

Societal view of animals that dates back at least 2,100ya that consists of two primary components:

• Animals are allowed to be used for specific purposes as long as certain conventions are met

  • Day of rest

  • Human slaughter

• Diligent care is important

Agrarianism

Societal view of animals that says living close to the land brings out the best in people and cities cause people to become corrupt and disorderly

Romanticism

Societal view of animals that created an emphasis on nature (starting after 1600) where animals were depicted with emotions and empathy for animals was considered positive

Industrialism

Societal view of animals where progress, science, and productivity became highly important

Positives of Industrialism

• reduced need for hand labor

• Increased prosperity

Negatives of Industrialism

• Exploited workers

• Concern about animal welfare

True or False: Our perceptions of animals tend to be based on dogs and cats.

True

What percentage of dog owners consider them to be family members?

66.7%

What percentage of cat owners consider them to be family members?

56.1%

What percentage of horse owners consider them to be family members?

38.4%

What can determine or change a person’s view on animals? (6)

• Age

• Sex

• Previous Experience

• Animal Species

• Individual Animal Personalities

• Concurrent Happenings

What are the 8 perspectives of individual views of animals categorized by Stephen Kellert?

1. Aesthetic View

2. Dominionistic View

3. Ecological View

4. Humanistic View

5. Negativistic View

6. Neutral View

7. Scientific Voew

8. Utilitarian View

Aesthetic View

Individual view where the primary interest is in the artistic and symbolic characteristic of animals

Dominionistic View

Individual view where the primary interest is in the mastery and control of animals

• ie: sporting situations

Ecological View

Individual view where the primary concern is for the environment as a system and the interrelationships between wildlife species and natural habitats

Humanistic view

Individual view where the primary interest is a strong affection for individual animals, primarily pets

Negativistic View

Individual view where there is a strong dislike for all animals or are fearful of them

Neutral View

Individual view of animals where the primary orientation is a neutral relation to and emotional detachment from animals

Scientific View

Individual view of animals where the primary interest is the physical attributes and biological functioning

Utilitarian View

Individual view of animals where the primary concern is for the practical and material value of animals or the animal’s habitat

True or False: As veterinarians we advocate for the animal, not the view.

TRUE