The History of Pets

It’s a common sight to see dogs walking down the street or cats clawing a couch in a house, but did you ever wonder when humans started keeping animals as pets? And another thing… where did dogs come from!? Let’s find out! Check out this video on the history of pets.

While some of us may regard our pets as family (some going so far as to call them their “fur babies”), many animals have been and are regarded as sacred by different cultures of the world. Read this article from Medium describing 5 sacred animals throughout history.

It may seem strange to think of the standard house cat as domesticated, with the knocking over of house objects and whatnot, but as you’ve learned cats have been our faithful companions for thousands of years. Let’s dig deeper and learn how humans domesticated cats not once but twice!

Pet companions aren’t just limited to your usual fare of cats, dogs, hamsters, and fish, there are some REALLY strange pets out there that you can actually own. So if you have the itch to add an animal companion in your life, here are 10 peculiar pets you probably haven’t considered.

Having pets can be hard work but we can always admire the wildlife in our immediate surroundings. Birds play a vital part in our ecosystems and while wild birds aren’t domesticated pets, we can interact with them by bringing them a snack! Check out this guide on how to make your own bird feeder using ordinary household items from the Smithonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute.

You’ve done a great job learning about pets and their unique history of domestication by humans. Now it’s time to let your inner animal out with these fun exercises that you can practice indoors. Click the link to see if you can walk like a gorilla or jump like a frog.