Question

Domesticated animals are animals that have been selectively bred over thousands of years for specific traits and genetically adapted over generations. This has made them better suited for living alongside humans. Domesticated animals are genetically distinct from their wild ancestors. When wild animals are domesticated, the years of artificial selection such as diet and living environment can alter the digestive physiology of the animal. By using an example of domesticated dog, consider how its digestive physiology might differ from that of its wild ancestors given the difference in diet. [Total : 10 marks]

Answer 1

Humans selectively bred dogs to developing certain physical and behavioural traits in them. Over time, humans created the hunting dogs, retrieving dogs, guard dogs, companion dogs and so forth.

Domesticated dogs are largely carnivores but will also eat plant-based foods while, wild dogs eat a variety of food which comprise mainly of prey animals, consisting raw meat, bones, organs and a small amount of the vegetable matter contained in the gut of their prey.

Wild dogs hunts in groups to bring down large animals: birds and mammals. They will eat any mammal that they can catch and kill including impala, gazelles, antelopes, wildebeest calves, and even large birds like ostriches. Wild dogs ever don't get fat because they self-regulate the amount of food they eat and they maintain the ideal weight. The dog diet includes some cooked or raw meat, fish, vegetables, rice etc.