Reading for Speaking and Discussing

Read the text and say why animals are so important to people.

People and Animals

Originally Aristotle divided all living things between plants, which generally do not move, and animals which can move. In Linnaeus' system, these became the kingdoms Vegetabilia (later Plantae) and Animalia.

The word “animal” comes from the Latin word “animalis” meaning “with soul” (from “anima” – “soul”).

Animals as a category have several characteristics that generally set them apart from other living things. Animals are eukaryotic and usually multicellular, which separates them from bacteria, for example. They are heterotrophic (meaning that they feed directly or indirectly on other living things), generally digesting food in an internal chamber, which separates them from plants and algae. They are also distinguished from plants, algae, and fungi by lacking cell walls.

Since the earliest times people have hunted wild animals for their meat, skins and fur. Then in about 10,000 BC, the first farmers began to tame and breed wild animals to feed the growing population. This process called domestication, played a vital role in the development of human civilization. Since then, people have continued to rear animals for food and clothing, as well as train them to work, and breed them as pets. Some domesticated animals, including many breeds of dogs, have been specially bread for so long that they look very different from their wild ancestors.

Many animals are trained to work for people because of their skills. Elephants and llamas, for example, are used to carry heavy loads over long distances, while oxen and horses can be used where a farmer has no tractor. Dogs are particularly intelligent animals and can be taught to guide blind people, control herds of sheep, sniff out drugs or explosives, and help police to track down criminals.

Although many people consider it cruel, rabbits, mice, rats, and other animals are kept in laboratories and used to test new medicines, to help find cures for certain diseases such as cancer, and to increase human understanding of animal behaviour. Some studies involve altering the genetic makeup of animals or producing clones – animals that are genetically identical.

Zoos allow people to see animals from all over the world and to learn about their behaviour. In good modern zoo or wildlife park, the emphasis is placed on educating the public about wild animals and helping to conserve them.

Many adults and children keep animals as pets. The most popular pets are cats, dogs, fish, and budgerigars, although some people have unusual pets, such as spiders. Pets provide their owners with companionship and affection in return for food and shelter. Many schools and kindergartens keep animals as pets so that children can learn how they eat, sleep, and take care of their young. Studies have shown that people with pets suffer less from stress.

Animals live everywhere on earth - in every kind of terrain and every kind of climate. An animal's living place is called its habitat. Most animals are only adapted to live in one or two habitats. A barakuda which is a salt water fish could not live in a fresh water lake. A walrus could not live in a desert. A rattlesnake could not live for very long in the arctic. Some animals migrate in the spring and again in the fall to find warmer habitats with an abundance of food.