Homing pigeon. White Homing pigeon, sitting The homing pigeon is a variety of domestic pigeon derived from the Rock Pigeon (Columba livia domestica) selectively bred to find its way home over extremely long distances.[1] The wild rock pigeon has an innate homing ability,[2] meaning that it will generally return to its nest and mate. This made it relatively easy to breed from the birds that repeatedly found their way home over long distances. Flights as long as 1,800 km (1,100 mi) have been recorded by birds in competitive pigeon racing.[3] Their average flying speed over moderate distances is around 50 miles per hour but speeds of up to 90 miles per hour have been observed in top racers for short distances. Homing pigeons are called messenger or carrier pigeons when they are used to carry messages.
Sexual dimorphism[edit] Male and female pigeons also show different behaviours. Reproduction[edit] History[edit] Stamp for early Pigeon-Gram service [edit] Roles[edit] As carrier pigeons[edit] In war[edit] Category:Horse history and evolution. Dog. Etymology and related terminology The term "domestic dog" is generally used for both of the domesticated and feral varieties. The English word dog comes from Middle English dogge, from Old English docga, a "powerful dog breed".[9] The term may possibly derive from Proto-Germanic *dukkōn, represented in Old English finger-docce ("finger-muscle").[10] The word also shows the familiar petname diminutive -ga also seen in frogga "frog", picga "pig", stagga "stag", wicga "beetle, worm", among others.[11] The term dog may ultimately derive from the earliest layer of Proto-Indo-European vocabulary, reflecting the role of the dog as the earliest domesticated animal.[12] Taxonomy In 1753, Carl Linnaeus listed among the types of quadrupeds familiar to him the Latin word for dog, canis.
Among the species within this genus, Linnaeus listed the fox, as Canis vulpes, wolves (Canis lupus), and the domestic dog, (Canis canis). Origin Roles with humans Early roles As pets Work. Cat. The domestic cat[1][2] (Felis catus[2] or Felis silvestris catus[4]) is a small, usually furry, domesticated, and carnivorous mammal. They are often called a housecat when kept as an indoor pet,[6] or simply a cat when there is no need to distinguish them from other felids and felines. Cats are often valued by humans for companionship, and their ability to hunt vermin and household pests. Cats are similar in anatomy to the other felids, with strong, flexible bodies, quick reflexes, sharp retractable claws, and teeth adapted to killing small prey. Cat senses fit a crepuscular and predatory ecological niche. Cats can hear sounds too faint or too high in frequency for human ears, such as those made by mice and other small animals. Despite being solitary hunters, cats are a social species, and cat communication includes the use of a variety of vocalizations (mewing, purring, trilling, hissing, growling, and grunting), as well as cat pheromones, and types of cat-specific body language.[7]
Horses, Horse Pictures, Horse Facts. Horses and humans have an ancient relationship. Asian nomads probably domesticated the first horses some 4,000 years ago, and the animals remained essential to many human societies until the advent of the engine. Horses still hold a place of honor in many cultures, often linked to heroic exploits in war.
Wild and Domesticated There is only one species of domestic horse, but around 400 different breeds that specialize in everything from pulling wagons to racing. All horses are grazers. While most horses are domestic, others remain wild. Wild horses generally gather in groups of 3 to 20 animals. The Przewalski's horse is the only truly wild horse whose ancestors were never domesticated. Domestic Dogs, Domestic Dog Pictures, Domestic Dog Facts. Dogs were probably the first tame animals. They have accompanied humans for some 10,000 years. Some scientists assert that all dogs, domestic and wild, share a common ancestor in the small South Asian wolf. Today humans have bred hundreds of different domestic dog breeds—some of which could never survive in the wild.
Despite their many shapes and sizes all domestic dogs, from Newfoundlands to pugs, are members of the same species—Canis familiaris. Although they have domestic temperaments, these dogs are related to wolves, foxes, and jackals. Domestic dogs still share many behaviors with their wild relatives. Many pet dogs also bury bones or favorite toys for future use, just as their wild relatives sometimes bury a kill to secure the meat for later feasts. Dogs communicate in several ways. Domestic dogs serve as more than companions; many earn their keep by working hard.
Domestic Cats, Domestic Cat Pictures, Domestic Cat Facts. About the Domestic Cat Domestic cats, no matter their breed, are all members of one species. Felis catus has had a very long relationship with humans. Ancient Egyptians may have first domesticated cats as early as 4,000 years ago. Plentiful rodents probably drew wild felines to human communities.
The cats' skill in killing them may have first earned the affectionate attention of humans. Like their wild relatives, domestic cats are natural hunters able to stalk prey and pounce with sharp claws and teeth. Cats communicate by marking trees, fence posts, or furniture with their claws or their waste. Domestic cats remain largely carnivorous, and have evolved a simple gut appropriate for raw meat. Pedigree Cat Breed Profiles. Cats are becoming the most popular household pets worldwide. There are about 100 million cats in the Western world and this figure is on the increase. There are many reasons for feline popularity and one reason in particular is that cats make affectionate, extremely devoted companions. There are also over a hundred recognised breeds of domestic cat.
The main feline features that vary are body type, eye colour, coat colour and length of coat. Some pedigree cats are natural breeds and many others are the result of careful breeding. On this page I've listed the main pedigree breeds of cat recognised today. Please click on an individual pedigree breed name below to view a summary of the characteristics of the breed, photos and recommended breed books. Please Note: Not all pedigree cat breed profiles are completed yet. I would also like to say thank you to everyone who supplied photos and information for the different pedigree cat breeds and allowed me to use them on this site. Dog Breed Info Center®, DBI.