Criteria for Domestication

• Having a diet which can be easily supplemented by humans:

  • No fussy eaters
  • Ideally plant based as its more efficient (fewer trophic levels).
  • Ideally grass based as humans cannot digest grass fibres.
• A fast growth rate with short breeding intervals:

  • A short juvenile period
  • They quickly grow to adult size and can reproduce quickly.
  • Can breed frequently to produce 1-2 offspring per year.
• Docile temperament:

  • Not aggressive to humans.
  • Not excessively violent to other domestic species.
• Able to breed in captivity.
• Social animals:

  • Males/females/young can all live together.
  • Over-lapping home ranges and are not territorial with other groups.
  • Dominance hierarchy social systems.
  • Submissive to humans – humans take the place of ‘pack’ leader.
• Not flighty:

  • Don’t panic in captivity/enclosed spaces
  • Can be kept together without spooking