5 Types of Working Animals and How They Help Humans
Did you know that the world is home to an estimated three to 30 million animal species? That includes the tiniest bugs to the two-legged creatures we call humans.
Humans aren’t the only working animals, though. Many others actually work for the benefit of none other than humankind.
To that end, we decided to create this list of some of the most diligent animals on the planet. So, read on to discover what they are, and be thankful for their service the next time you see them.
1. Dog Detectives
Dogs have about 100 to 300 million olfactory receptors. That’s a far cry from the 5 million that humans possess.
That’s one of the primary reasons we have dogs in employ as bomb sniffers. Yes, the noses of these service animals are so powerful they can sniff out bombs, even from a distance. What’s more, they can uncover these scents even under a thick layer of masking substances.
Aside from deadly explosives, trained canines can also detect illegal drugs. They can catch the scent of ketamine, marijuana, and heroin, to name a few. It’s a long list; have a look at this comprehensive guide on the illicit substances they can detect.
2. Military Marine Mammals
The US Navy has been training marine mammals since the 1960s. They do so to help them detect underwater mines and weapons and patrol restricted waters.
Bottlenose dolphins are among the most popular as they have impressive sonar capabilities. In fact, scientists say no technology can beat their innate sonar prowess.
On the other hand, California’s sea lions have exemplary eyesight. This allows them to find and recover mines and even lost equipment.
3. Miniature Horses
When it comes to the most popular guide animals, assistance dogs still reign. However, miniature horses are galloping on and catching up (pardon the pun). In fact, the Americans with Disability Act approved their use as service animals.
That’s because, like dogs, miniature horses have an innate ability to guide. They’re also calm, not that easy to distract, and can provide emotional support. Plus, they can live up to or even more than five decades, whereas service dogs often retire when they hit the age of 10.
4. The Buff Bovinae
Bovinae (bovine) is a subclass within the Bovidae family of mammals. They include bison, buffalos, and cattle. Trained male bovines, also known as oxen, are some of the most common animals with jobs in agriculture.
Oxen, usually male cattle, are draft animals that help pull heavy loads or carts. Moreover, they assist farmers in plowing the fields. This is especially true in smaller farms in Asian countries.
5. Busy Bees
The relationship between humans and bees appears to date back as many as 9,000 years ago. A study found evidence that people from back then may have been harvesting beeswax. This practice has since then evolved to actual bee farming.
However, today’s bees now even undergo training to become virus detectors. Specifically, researchers are training them to sniff out potential COVID-19 infections.
Be Thankful for All These Working Animals
There are far more working animals than what we can cover, but the gist is, there’s a lot of them hard at work for our benefit. That’s why they all deserve a greater degree of gratitude and respect from us, two-legged folks. So, the next time you see any of these service animals, be thankful they still exist.
Ready for more interesting tidbits of wisdom on animals and pets? Head over to our site’s other categories for more informative guides then!
