Study finds first evidence that a mammal other than humans grows its own food
                                                           Study finds first evidence that a mammal other than humans grows its own food 2584  
Humans thought they were unique among mammals when it came to farming, but according to a new study, we may not be alone.
Scientists have discovered that the pocket gopher (Geomys pinetis) also practices some form of farming.
Observing a field containing burrows built by these little creatures showed that the pocket gopher not only harvests the long pine roots that grow inside its lap, but plants them.
Hundreds of metres, these meandering tunnels are constantly being modified and re-maintained, as they fertilize them.
Study finds first evidence that a mammal other than humans grows its own food 6258 
Despite some scientific debate about the concept of cultivation, the researchers in this study point to clear indications that gophers know what they are doing when it comes to root management.
"The southeastern pocket gophers were the first non-human hunter-gatherers of mammals," notes biologist Francis Putz, of the University of Florida. "Agriculture is known in some species of ants, beetles and termites, but not in other mammals," he added.
By studying root growth inside a secluded section of a gopher's network tunnel, the researchers believe that a pocket gopher farming can provide 20 to 60 percent of its daily calories, which it takes a lot of energy to maintain.
It is also clear that animals spend significant time and effort to defend their crops. In other words, maintaining burrows and managing conditions in which roots can continue to grow is what makes this a form of farming.
"They provide this ideal environment for roots to grow and fertilize with their own organic waste," says zoologist Veronica Selden of the University of Florida.
Some experts may consider that real agriculture actually requires planting crops, as well as helping them grow and harvest, but the team behind the research notes that this has not always been the case with human agriculture.
 


https://www.mc-doualiya.com/%D8%B9%D9%84%D9%88%D9%85/20220713-%D8%AF%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%B3%D8%A9-%D8%AA%D8%AC%D8%AF-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AF%D9%84%D9%8A%D9%84-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A3%D9%88%D9%84-%D8%B9%D9%84%D9%89-%D9%82%D9%8A%D8%A7%D9%85-%D8%AD%D9%8A%D9%88%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%AB%D8%AF%D9%8A%D9%8A-%D8%A2%D8%AE%D8%B1-%D8%BA%D9%8A%D8%B1-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A8%D8%B4%D8%B1-%D8%A8%D8%B2%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%B9%D8%A9-%D8%B7%D8%B9%D8%A7%D9%85%D9%87?ref=fb_i