I see quite a few coyotes around my house. Their scientific name is canis latrans. The native Americans call them littlewolf. They are part of the dog family. I would think that they are predator because they have to hunt for food. I also think that some people make them domesticated if they are raised by humans. They are also carnivores because they eat meat. I watch them from my back porch while they are hunting, probably for rabbits.
The rock squirrels are usually found in the west. Their scientific name is spermophilus variegatus. I think they are mutualistic. They benefit from their surroundings. I put out seed for the birds and they pocket the seeds for the winter. I don't think these animals are domesticated, but some people may try and feed them and they might become relaxed and except the offerings.
The roadrunner is an interesting species. I get a few of these on my back porch sometimes. Their scientific name is Geococcyx californianus. They are predators because they have to hunt for their food. They eat beetles, grasshoppers and ants. You may also see roadrunners in a zoo and there they eat mice, bees and insects. They are domestic, but if they are in the zoo they are somewhat domesticated because people are required to feed them.
The tarantula is in the spider family. Their scientific name is Aphonopelma species. I think they are predator and mutualistic. A predator because they hunt their prey and mutualistic because the help the insect population around my house. I seen a few of these and while they are fascinating, I keep my distance. Some people have these as pets, so they are domesticated, but not like a dog or a cat.
This is a picture of bacteria in the human mouth. There are thousands of different species and this bacteria helps us break down food and others cause cavities. One type is (scientific name) Streptococcus mutans and these cause cavities. I would consider them commensal. They are domesticated because they have a purpose and no one needs to train them.
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This is a honey bee (common name). Their scientific name is Apis mellifera Linnaeus. These are mutualistic because we as humans benefit from them because the pollinate and they benefit be varies flowers. Yes, I think the honey bees are domesticated because people raise colonies of bees. They don't necessarily live with humans, but they have a close relationship. Best of all they produce honey.
Parsley is one of the best around. I always have a batch of this in my garden. The scientific name for parsley Petroselinum crispum. I think they are commensal because I benefit from growing it. Yes, parsley is domesticated because we can grow a lot of it and sell or make breads or different foods from it.
This is a plum tree. I have one of these in my front yard. The scientific name is Prunus Americana. I think this species is mutualistic because it provides shade, food for birds and humans. Yes, these are domesticated because a lot of them are grown commercially, besides in someone's yard.
This is a quail and they are abundant in the west! I have daily visitors around my bird feeders, usually in the late afternoon. The scientific name is Colinus virginianus. The common name is quail, but the also have another common name; bobwhite. They are mutualistic because some people hunt quail. I heard that they taste good, but I have never tried them. They can be domesticated because some people raise them.
This is a German spitz puppy. The scientific name is canis famililaris. Soooooo cute!! I got one when he was just 5 weeks old. They are symbiotic because we share a relationship with them. They protect us and we provide a comfortable home for them. They are also domesticated because we train them to do certain things in order to stay in the house. A lot of dogs were hunter back in the day.
This is a curve-billed thrasher. Daily visitor to my feeders and the bird baths. The scientific name is Toxostoma curvirostre. They are commensal or they could be mutualistic, but I just benefit from watching them. They are not a domesticated species.
This is a scorpion and I believe everyone in Arizona have these little creatures in their homes. Their scientific name is Superstitionia donensis. They could be symbiotic because they keep the grasshoppers away. I had a ton of grasshoppers on my back porch this summer and it was annoying. On the other hand they are commensal because they are making their way into my house now that the cold weather has arrived. Not domesticated, but I believe that some people make little aquariums for them.
This is a bob cat and we have a whole family living in this area. We may not see them daily, but we do see them often. Their scientific name is Felis rufus. They are definitely a predator because they hunt to live. Some people make them domesticated, but it is illegal in most states. Maybe even all states, but not a smart idea.
Yes, this is a cow. They graze in the fields in front of my house. Their scientific name is Bos taurus. There are a lot of different species of cows. They are symbiotic because we benefit from them worldwide! We set them in fields and they get to eat all day long! They are domesticated because we use them to produce milk and cheese.
This is a rabbit and they can be domesticated because a lot of people have them as pets. Their scientific name is Oryctolagus cunicuius. They can be symbiotic because we save them from becoming prey and we get a cool pet. The ones that are not domesticated like to eat stuff out of my gardens.
Ahhh, the diamond back rattle snake. We have had many on our back porch.!!! Their scientific name is Crotalus atrox. They are predator's because they hunt their prey. They can also bite people and small animals. They can be domesticated, but I wouldn't want one!! They keep the rodents population down.
These are my buddies! The house finches. The one on the right is the female and the one on the left is male. They are a riot to watch. Their scientific name is Carpodacus mexicanus. These can be domesticated because a lot of people have them caged inside the their homes. I just see them everyday at my window feeder. They are commensal because they benefit be the feeders that I have outside. Otherwise, people that keep them as pets I guess that would be mutualistic.
I love mushrooms!! Their scientific name is Agaricus bisporus. The are domesticated because we can purchase them in a store, but they also grow in the wild. Some species can be deadly. I think they are commensal. Not really sure on this one! They grow very fast in the dark! They also feed off of decaying organisms.
This is Russian sage. A flowering bush. I have two of these plants. Their scientific name is Perovskia atripicfolia. The are mutualistic because the bees love this plant so they pollinate and I benefit for cut flowers. They are a domesticated species because they are grown in nursery's for people to buy and take home and plant in their yards.
This an ant and we found them in our bathroom. This picture is a great magnification on the one that I saw. Their scientific name is Monomorium pharaonis. There are several species, but this particular species likes warm moist areas and I found them in my bathroom. Ants are actually predator's believe it or not. They are workers and those workers need food. They work together sometimes to get their prey. They are not domesticated, but they would like to be. Maybe some species are, but I don't think they are.
The species that I choose to do this lab project have co-existed with us for a long period of time. Some of the species are out of site; out of mind. The flowers, birds, and dog are part of my daily life, but the others I see a lot and don't interact with them. It is fascinating to see the bob cats and coyotes in my back yard; that is one thing I would never see in RI.
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