Around the time the Ice Age ended, humans began to domesticate wild dogs. Over the next 5,000 years, sheep, goats, pigs, and cattle were all tamed in order to help people in various ways. First of all, the skins of animals were very important to early humans. Animal hides were made into clothes and used for houses and for making boats. Animals were also used as a source of food. Meat, cheese, and milk became part of people’s diet during that time period. Producing manure was another important benefit that animals provided early farmers. Farmers spread animal manure over the land to keep the soil richer so that it would produce better crops. Later, when plows were invented, animals also provided the farmers with a new source of labor.
Domestic species are raised for food, work, clothing, medicine, and many other uses. Domesticated plants and animals must be raised and cared for by humans.
