Here's a breakdown:
* Adaptation: Domesticated animals have traits that make them suitable for living with humans, like being less aggressive, more tolerant, and easier to manage.
* Close association: Domesticated animals live in close proximity to humans, often depending on them for food, shelter, and protection.
* Selective breeding: Humans intentionally choose animals with desirable traits for breeding, leading to specific characteristics like size, temperament, and even appearance.
Examples:
* Dogs: Bred for companionship, herding, guarding, and other tasks.
* Cats: Originally domesticated for controlling rodent populations, now primarily kept as pets.
* Chickens: Bred for egg production and meat.
* Cattle: Bred for milk, meat, and leather.
It's important to note:
* Not all animals can be easily domesticated. Some species are naturally wild and have difficulty adapting to human environments.
* Domestication is a long process. It can take many generations of selective breeding to create a truly domesticated animal.
* Domestication can have both positive and negative consequences for both humans and animals. It can lead to improvements in food production and companionship, but can also create ethical concerns about animal welfare and potential genetic risks.