For some animals, their home is the wilderness, for others, the one that man created for them. This difference in the conditions of existence endows those and others with their own characteristics. Consider how pets differ from wild ones.
Which animals are considered wild and which are domestic
Wild are the representatives of the fauna, living separately from people, in the wild. They have their own characteristics.
Pets are animals that exist in the neighborhood of humans. Descended from wild representatives, they have a genetic set formed in the process of selection carried out by people for centuries.
Comparison
There are a lot of signs that distinguish domestic animals from wild ones. Let's list them.
Place of existence
The natural environment forces wild animals to independently take care of their home, be it a burrow, nest, den or other refuge.
Pets are relieved of this need. For some of them, special premises are being built: stables, doghouses, paddocks. Others live in the same house with the owners, placed in their own separate "houses" - cages, aquariums and others. There are also lucky ones who are allowed to move freely around the apartment on a par with household members - these are cats, some dogs, monkeys.
Attitude towards man
For wild representatives, man personifies danger. He is an enemy, upon meeting with whom the animal is either frightened, does not allow him to approach, refuses to feed from his hands, or shows all signs of aggression, attacks.
Pets, as a rule, do not feel anxiety at the sight of their owners. It is common for them to feel the closeness of a person. Often, pets become very attached to those who constantly take care of them.
Food
Many pets are adapted to eat from the table, it does not harm their body.
Wild animals are mostly focused on a natural diet. Their consumption of food, even as close to natural as possible, can lead to dangerous diseases and death. Therefore, when keeping such animals at home, live food is used.
Self-defense
In the wild, where natural selection takes place, animals are better able to adapt to difficult environmental conditions.
Human-dependent domestic animals are often completely helpless in the wild. Living conditions subject them to artificial selection that meets human needs.
Learning ability
A certain understanding is established between pets and humans. It is easier to train such animals in some actions, train them, use them in certain jobs. There are also wild, more malleable representatives, but this is more of an exception.
Breeding in captivity
Some wild animals are sometimes easy to tame. But they are unlikely to breed easily in captivity. Domestic animals reproduce safely, and such fertility often brings considerable benefits to humans.
Benefits for people
Wild animals can serve as a source of food for humans, some materials, and also be objects of aesthetic pleasure.
What is the difference between domesticated animals and wild animals? Pets, in addition to the above, can perform work functions (guard, transport goods, etc.). And, besides, pets often become companion animals, with whom people spend their leisure time and communicate with pleasure. At the same time, it is noted that in a house with such "friends" it becomes more comfortable, they help relieve stress, soothe.
Table
Wild animals | Domestic animals |
They create their own dwelling | They live under the auspices of man |
Man is an enemy | Man is a friend |
Natural diet | Often adapted to human food |
They know how to survive in the natural environment | In the wild, defenseless |
It is difficult or impossible to train | They are better amenable to learning, training |
They breed poorly in captivity | They breed well |
Sources of food, materials; objects of aesthetic pleasure | Not only provide people with food and materials, but also perform work functions, and can also be companion animals |