We use some products that we get from animals. Wool, leather, etc., are the usual things that come to our mind. But there are other things made from animals. Some of them are:
Wool - Sheep, goat, rabbits, musk oxen, camel
Wool is a fibre that we use to make clothes to keep ourselves warm. We get wool mainly from sheep. Other wool types are cashmere and mohair from goats and angora wool from rabbits.
Leather - Rawhide
Leather is a flexible material made from rawhide (animal skin). People make shoes, belts, bags, etc., with it. Leather is mainly obtained from cattle. Leather is also made from the skin of horses, pigs, snakes, crocodiles, kangaroos etc.
Silk - Silkworm
Do you remember the lifecycle of a butterfly? Silkworm also goes through a similar changes and the caterpillar becomes a silk moth. The cocoon that the silkworm makes is made up of silk fibre. We obtain the silk fibre from this cocoon. Mulberry Silk Worms make the best silk fibre.
Feather - Birds
There are many uses for feathers. The down feathers of birds are used to fill pillows and cushions. Feathers of large birds like geese were used to make quill pens. Colorful feathers of a peacock or a parakeet are used for decoration.
Beeswax - Honey Bees
Along with honey, bees also produce natural wax called beeswax. They use this wax to build their hive. We is use beeswax in cosmetics and to make candles.
Casein - Milk
It is a by-product of milk and is used in plastics, clothing, cosmetics, adhesives and paint.
Lanolin - Sheep, goat, rabbits, musk oxen, camel
All woolly animals also secrete a wax-like substance. We call it lanolin. We use it in cosmetics and boot polish.
Fur - Furry Animals
Fur is clothing made up of furry animal hides. Hides of fox, rabbit, mink, muskrat, beaver, sable, stoat or otter etc., give us fur.
Coral rock - Coral
Corals secrete calcium carbonate. It forms a hard skeleton like structure. Corals are used in jewellery and in medicine. In the East African coast, coral stones are used for construction.
Horn - Rhinoceros, impala, antelope, sheep, buffalo
Horns were used to make musical instruments. Horn of an antelope is used in Chinese medicine. They were also used to make buttons, handles of knives, combs etc. The rhinoceros horn is used in medicine in Vietnam.
Ivory - Elephants, walrus, hippopotamus, sperm whale, killer whale
The hard, white material from the tusks of elephants is called ivory.
Elephants are the source of ivory. It is used to make decorative
items, jewellery, piano keys, pipes, etc. The use of ivory is banned
or restricted in many parts of the world.
Sponges - Sea Sponge
Sponges are the skeletons of sea sponges. We use them to make sponges. It is also used in medicines.
Tallow - Animal Fat
Animal fat is called tallow. It is used as a lubricant in machines. It is also used to make candles and medicines.
Venom - Poisonous Snakes
Venom is used to make the anti-venom. If a poisonous animal bites a person, it is very dangerous. The anti-venom can save such a person.
Manure - All Animals
Manure is mainly made of animals excretion.Manure increases the fertility of the soil.
Services that we get from animals.
Along with using the various products that we use, we also use the animals for services they provide. We have domesticated some animals to reduce our labour.
Dogs: We use dogs in different ways. They are shepherds, guards, police dogs, service dogs who help the blind and deaf people. They are also our favourite pet, aren’t they?
Cats: Cats are pets and used to reduce the number of mice.
Horses and ponies: They are used to pull carriages, wagons, carts etc.
Bullock: The bullock is called the beast of burden. They are used to plough the fields, pull carts, etc.
Donkey: They are used to carry loads. They are used by washermen. Nomads also use donkeys to carry their things.
Camel: The camel is called the ship of the desert. It is used to travel from place to place in the desert areas.
Elephant: Elephants are used in forest areas. They help to carry or pull logs of wood. They are also used to carry people. In some temples, elephants have an important part in the rituals.