Part 3/8:
The first and foremost criterion is whether an animal can be effectively fed. For instance, while cows efficiently convert grass into steaks, many carnivores, like tigers, require a higher energy input than they provide. The energy transfer between herds and carnivorous hunters reflects a fundamental principle of thermodynamics, making pure carnivores unsuitable candidates for domestication.
Instead, domestication favors herbivores that can thrive on common plants that are inedible to humans. Omnivores, while potentially more adaptable due to their varied diet, must also offer substantial benefits to justify the effort.