Useful Animals: Definition, Examples and Significance

Useful Animals: Over the years, we have wondered, how useful are animals to us? Since ancient times, people have been wondering about useful animals. The 10 useful animals contribute to easy transportation, food and so much more. Animals over the years have been of great help to mankind. We obtain so much from them.

Apart from food and transport, the useful animals also contribute to making clothes, pearl necklaces, bracelets and so much more. In this article, we will be learning about the relationship between mankind and animals. We will learn how animals are useful to humans, how trees are useful for animals and so on. Students can scroll down to learn more about useful animals.

How are Animals Useful to Us?

Animals are useful to humans in various ways. Human beings domesticated animals from ancient times. Animals such as cattle, goats, pigs, honey bees, etc., provide us with clothing, food, medicine, and also help with many more economic needs of human beings.

Some animals provide us with food like milk, meat, egg, etc., and some animals are helpful in agriculture, transportation, and few animals have been used as medicinal resources for the treatment and relief of a myriad of illnesses and diseases, etc.

How Animals are Useful to Humans?

Animals Used as Food: Animals give us food like milk, egg, meat, etc., that are rich in proteins, vitamins, calcium, etc. Animal source foods are particularly rich sources of important macronutrients and numerous critical micronutrients, including iron, zinc, and vitamins B-12 and A, many of which are deficient in a large portion of the world’s population.

1. Milk and Milk Products: We get milk from animals such as cows, buffalo, sheep, donkeys, camels, yak, etc. The Gir breed is estimated to produce 1,590 kg of milk per lactation on average and contributes significantly to the total milk production of Gujarat State. Milk is a rich source of proteins, vitamins, and minerals.

Fig: Milk and Milk Products

2. Meat: Goat, sheep, chicken, pig, etc., are the major source of meat production. The meat of cow and buffalo is called ‘beef,’ the meat of goat and sheep is called ‘mutton’,  and the meat of the pig is called ‘pork.’ Meat is a rich source of protein. Certain types of meat are strictly prohibited in some religious groups due to emotional grounds and religious fear.

3. Poultry: Eggs and poultry meat are among the animal-source foods most widely eaten at the global level, across greatly diverse cultures, traditions, and religions, while guinea fowl and squabs (young pigeons) are chiefly of local interest. Poultry farming is the form of animal husbandry that raises domesticated birds such as chickens, ducks, turkeys, and geese primarily for meat and eggs but also for feathers. An egg is a very important and good source of protein for developing children.

Fig: Egg and Chicken

4. Fish as a Source of Food: Fish is a high-protein, low-fat food that provides a range of health benefits and is filled with omega-3 fatty acids and vitamins such as D and B2 (riboflavin). The liver oil of codfish and sharks is rich in vitamin A and D. The rearing and breeding of fish by artificial means is called pisciculture; it is also called fish farming.

Fig: Fish Meat

5. Honey as a Food: The rearing of honeybees for honey and wax is called apiculture. Beehives are found on trees, rocks, and other places, and from the hives, honey in its raw form is extracted by beekeepers and then processed and bottled for use. Honey is a rich source of minerals and energy. Honey is prepared by honeybees by collecting the nectar from the different flowers and storing it in the hives.

Fig: Honey

Animals Used for Clothing: We wear beautiful clothes according to seasons and climate. The silk clothes are used occasionally for functions and festivals.

1. Skin and Fur of Animals: The skin and fur of animals like cows, crocodiles, snakes, buffalo, etc., are used to make leather jackets, shoes, bags, belts, purses, etc.

Fig: Skin and Fur of Animals

2. Silk from Silkworm: The rearing of the silk moth larvae for its thread is called sericulture.  The silk is produced from the animal silkworm. It produces cocoons in the pupa stage, which is made up of silk threads.

Fig: Silk from Silkworm

3. Wool: Wool is the most commonly used animal fibre. Wool is wavy, soft, and curly in nature that covers the body of a sheep. The wool comes from the animals like goats, sheep, yak, camels, etc. The wool has the respective property to trap a lot of air. Air is a poor conductor of heat. Hence, wool prevents cold and keeps the body warm during winters. The sweaters, socks, gloves, mittens, earmuffs, etc., are made from wool. The wool of the respective animals is removed only once a year at the beginning of the summer season.

Animals Used for Transportation: Animals like horses, oxen, donkeys, etc., were used for transportation in ancient times. Any animals such as donkeys or ass that are used to carry goods loaded on their back are called pack animals. Carts or coaches can be used to significantly decrease the effort needed to transport one or several persons by means of animal power.

Uses of Animals for Agriculture: The animals like cows, oxen, etc., were used for ploughing the land before agricultural tools like tractors, cultivators, etc., came into existence. The Earthworm is called farmer’s friend because it helps in loosening the soil and provides a path to aerate the roots of the plants.

Animals Used for Ornamental and Home Decor: Snakes, lizards, crocodiles, and frogs are harvested for their skins to be made into shoes, handbags, and other exotic leather products.

1. Elephants Tusks: Elephant tusks are the costliest item. People make ornaments and showpieces to decorate their homes.

Fig: Elephant Tusk

2. Pearls: Marine oysters and freshwater mussels are reared for pearl culture.

Animals Used for Medicine: Crabs, leeches, fish, etc., are used for treating allergies and diseases of humans like a common cold, blood infections, poor eyesight, etc.

Lac and Wax: Lac is produced from lac insects, whereas wax is produced from bees. The purified lac is called shellac that is used for shoe polish, bangles, etc. Wax is used for making beautiful candles.

Challenges Faced by Useful Animals

1. Elephant poaching for ivory tusks can have detrimental effects in the long run. Poaching of other useful animals has lots of adverse effects on local communities, wildlife populations, climate, ecosystem, biodiversity, and the environment as a whole.
2. The killing of tigers and cheetahs for their skin may lead to a decrease in the number of species.
3. Putting nets around the seas or oceans for fishing may disturb the aquatic habitat.
4. Making animals work hard in the agricultural fields without feeding them properly may lead to the death of animals.

Summary

Humans are very dependent on plants and animals in this society. Animals are helpful to us in different ways, such as food like meat, egg, milk, and milk products. The food that is obtained from animals is rich in vitamins, proteins, minerals, calcium, etc. Humans are not only getting food from animals. They are also useful for agriculture purposes, transportation, medicines, ornamental and home decorations, etc. The dogs and cats are tamed at home as pet animals. They give humans relaxation from stress, depression, strain, etc. We should not kill or ill-treat animals that may lead to extinction.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q.1. Which animal is the most useful?
Ans: Cow, chicken, pig, etc., are the most useful animals because cows give us milk which is essential for growing children since milk is rich in calcium; egg and meat should be considered as major food since it is a source of protein and vitamins.

Q.2. What are the 5 uses of animals?
Ans: The 5 uses of animals are:
1. Animals are reared for food
2. For transportation
3. For clothing
4. As pets in the house
5. For sports

Q.3. What are animals important to the environment?
Ans: Domesticated animals, such as cattle, sheep, goats, etc. provide us food, fiber, and leather, and some animals such as birds, fish, insects, and pollinators play an essential role in the functioning of the world’s ecosystems in a way that directly impacts human health, economy, and food production.

Q.4. What are extinct animals?
Ans: The animals that do not exist on earth are called extinct animals.

Q.5. What food do we get from animals?
Ans: The foods like egg, meat, honey, butter, curd, cheese, etc., are obtained from animals and animal products.

Now you are provided with all the necessary information on useful animals and we hope this detailed article is helpful to you. If you have any queries regarding this article, please ping us through the comment section below and we will get back to you as soon as possible.

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