Domestication

The dog was domesticated...

• Hundreds of Years Ago

• Last Month

• Thousands of Years Ago

• In 1977

What process allowed wolves to become domestic dogs?

• Artificial selection

• Migration

• Evolution in the wild

• Domestication

Answer explanation

The process that allowed wolves to become domestic dogs is known as domestication. This involved selective breeding by humans to enhance traits desirable in dogs, leading to their evolution from wild wolves into domestic companions.

What does “domestication” mean?

• Teaching dogs to sit and stay

• Adapting animals to live with humans

• Keeping animals in cages

• Watching animals in the wild

Answer explanation

Domestication refers to adapting animals to live with humans, which involves breeding and training them for companionship, work, or food. This is distinct from simply teaching commands, caging, or observing wild animals.

What is an example of a trait humans selected for in dogs?

• Long noses

• Squashed faces

• Sharp teeth

• Short fur

Answer explanation

Humans have selectively bred dogs for various traits, including squashed faces, particularly in breeds like Bulldogs and Pugs. This trait is a result of aesthetic preferences in dog breeding.

What is artificial selection?

• Animals adapting naturally to their environment

• Humans choosing traits to breed in animals

• Animals choosing their own traits

• Plants growing without human help

Answer explanation

Artificial selection is the process where humans choose specific traits to breed in animals, unlike natural selection where traits are selected by environmental pressures. This choice leads to desired characteristics in future generations.

Why do humans breed dogs for specific traits?

• To make dogs better at surviving in the wild

• To create traits they find cute or useful

• To make dogs look like wolves

• To help dogs show more emotions

Answer explanation

Humans breed dogs for specific traits primarily to create characteristics they find cute or useful, such as size, temperament, and abilities, rather than for survival in the wild or to resemble wolves.

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What is domestication?

• The process of taming wild animals for human use

• The migration of animals to urban areas

• The natural evolution of animals in the wild

• The extinction of wild species

Which of the following is a result of domestication?

• Increased genetic diversity in wild populations

• Development of new species in the wild

• Creation of breeds with specific traits

• Natural selection favoring wild traits

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What is a common characteristic of domesticated animals?

• They are always larger than their wild counterparts

• They have traits that are beneficial to humans

• They can survive without human intervention

• They are more aggressive than wild animals

Which animal was one of the first to be domesticated by humans?

• Elephant

• Dog

• Tiger

• Eagle