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Genetics in animals and plants are very different and these differences make domestication more complicated in plants than in animals. In particular, wild varieties of many cereals, such as wheat and barley, can be grown for many generations with only minor or subtle differences noticeable even when humans select and replant those cereals that are best suited for their food needs. This could perhaps partially be explained that plants that are subtly different from their wild progenitors can still bread with them, slowing the process of change down.<ref>For a discussion on the domestication of plants and why they might be slow see: Miller, Allison J. 2007. “Crop Plants: Evolution.” In ''Encyclopedia of Life Sciences'', edited by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Chichester, UK: John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.</ref>
On the other hand, animals, in particular caprids (sheep and goats), Bos (cattle), and equids (donkeys and onagers). can be tamed relatively quickly and can be separated from their wild ancestors more easily.<ref> For a discussion on behavior and genetic changes in animals that can be tamed see: Dobney, K., and G. Larson. 2006. “Genetics and Animal Domestication: New Windows on an Elusive Process.” ''Journal of Zoology''. dos:10.1111/j.1469-7998.2006.00042.x.</ref> In just one experiment, within 40 years a population of foxes was tamed and behaved very differently from their wild ancestors. Behavioral change could occur rapidly, leading ultimately to animal populations that can be separated and then genetically modified. Within a few generations, the offspring of many domesticated animals can be made tame, which is the critical first trait to enable domestication. For dogs, which were also among the earliest domesticates, they are clearly derive derived from wolfswolves; however, similar to sheep and goats, wolfs they can be tamed within a generation. In the case of domestication, the selection process conducted by humans is the most critical factor that leads to domestication.<ref>For a discussion on animal domestication, behavior, and genetic traits see: Price, Edward O. 2002. ''Animal Domestication and Behavior''. Wallingford, Oxon, UK ; New York: CABI Pub.</ref> For instance, sheep and goats were selected for their coats, meat, and to make them docile. Similarly, cows were also selected for their meat, milk, and docile behavior. Such a selective process, and the fact that these types of animals lend themselves well to domestication, enables the relatively early development of animals domestication. In fact, it is animal domestication that we first begin to see have an impact on agriculture, as it occurred more quickly than plant domestication.
==Geographical and Climatic Factors==
