(December 19, 2022 at 11:04 pm)Belacqua Wrote:(December 19, 2022 at 10:31 pm)Jehanne Wrote: As with all life, trees have a unique DNA sequence, as individuals, as particular tree species and as trees and plants overall. Living trees have metabolic activity; dead trees do not, except for the decomposers who are feeding upon their remains.
Likewise you can tell the difference between animal species scientifically, but the category "pet" is a social construction.
Biologists have excellent answers to these questions. A pet is a nonhuman animal that lives with or at least among humans, in a dependent (or, in the case of cats, a feigned dependent) relationship such that the animal in question would likely die of natural causes if the humans did not continue to provide for them.
