Domestication is the process of adapting wild plants and animals for human use, such as raising them for food, work, clothing, and medicine
. It involves a multi-generational mutualistic relationship between humans and other organisms, in which humans take over control and care to obtain a steady supply of resources
. The process of domestication has been gradual and geographically diffuse, based on trial and error, and it has played a significant role in human history, shifting the structure of human populations and humanity at large
. Key aspects of domestication include:
- Taming : Domestication is not to be confused with the taming of an individual animal. It refers to the initial stage of human mastery of wild animals and plants
- Breeding : Domesticated animals and plants are often bred to exhibit specific traits, such as high egg yield or improved meat quality. This process involves human intervention in the natural selection process
- Evolution : Domestication has led to the evolution of new species, with some animals and plants becoming more dependent on human care and losing their ability to survive in the wild
- Social Behavior : Domestic animals often exhibit a strong tendency to submit to humans, as they have been bred to let people take the lead for generations
The first animal to be domesticated was the dog, at least 15,000 years ago, followed by other animals like goats, sheep, and cows around 11,000 years ago
. The domestication of plants and animals has had a profound impact on human societies, leading to the development of agriculture and shaping the course of human history
