Rabbinic culture used animals for many reasons besides the basics of food, transportation and clothing. For instance, animals are used for making dyes. Curiously, from the process used to prepare the special techelet, the Talmud addresses the problem of unnecessary killing of animals. (74-75a)
Divine punishments are executed by animals, such as the gnat, spider, swallow and hornet. (77b, 80b). Three dangerous worms are found in silk, grapes and figs and at least the fig worm can be fatal. (90a per Artscroll)) On the other hand, some animals are used for recreation, e.g. non-kosher locusts. (90b)
Much of Shabbat chapter 9 deals with standard rabbinic metrics. Oddly enough, as a unit of measurement, the rabbis gauge date pits in terms of the mouthfuls of pigs. (90b)
Arguably, the Talmud has a Lamarckian conception of biological evolution. Rabbinic anecdotes tell why the camel has a short tail, the rooster eyelids, and locust antennae. It also distinguishes the pedestrian habits of goats and sheep. (77b Shabbat)
Sheepishly,
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