Which domesticate animal other than dogs or horses would be the most important to man?

Donkeys actually should rank up there with the horse. They are more adapted to desert climates,can survive on tougher vegetation and are basically tougher with greater endurance. The main reason,why the mule is so commonly bred,is because they combine the toughness and endurance of donkeys with the horses greater size and speed.
 
Still amazing that it spread so far despite being so relatively minor. I guess it must've had a real competitive edge for it to have such an impact on human genetics.
If I remember right, the genetic studies suggested that lactose tolerance had such a strong selective advantage that people with the gene were more than four times more likely to successfully reproduce than those who lacked it.
 
Aren't reindeer considered undomesticated by several sources?

I'd argue for semi-domesticated. Reindeer do seem to have somewhat differentiated physically from Caribou, which may be a result of gradual selection for pack carrying. They're regularly herded by nomadic and semi-nomadic peoples in Arctic/Subarctic peoples in Northern Europe and Siberia, and they're temperamentally far more human tolerant than Caribou.

I think the issue with Reindeer domestication is that they are exactly as domesticated as they need to be, in terms of a commensalist relationship with a non-agricultural, non sedentary societies. There's little need for these societies to advance the relationship to exhibit hallmarks of sedentary agricultural domestication, and no opportunity for these societies to develop these traits.
 
Last edited:
What about pigs? They're low maintenance and if I recall correctly provide more protein pound for pound than cattle and pigskin is not to be despised. Also, social skills-wise, no less an authority than Winston Churchill expressed himself. "I am fond of pigs. Dogs look up to us. Cats look down on us. Pigs treat us as equals."
 
What about pigs? They're low maintenance and if I recall correctly provide more protein pound for pound than cattle and pigskin is not to be despised. Also, social skills-wise, no less an authority than Winston Churchill expressed himself. "I am fond of pigs. Dogs look up to us. Cats look down on us. Pigs treat us as equals."
until they start running the farm, of course :p
 
What about pigs? They're low maintenance and if I recall correctly provide more protein pound for pound than cattle and pigskin is not to be despised. Also, social skills-wise, no less an authority than Winston Churchill expressed himself. "I am fond of pigs. Dogs look up to us. Cats look down on us. Pigs treat us as equals."
Winnie had a way with words, didn't he...
 
Top