Final answer:
In Mesoamerica, animals were used primarily for meat, such as guinea pigs by the Maya, and hides for clothing and shelter, like bison and deer by other indigenous communities. The introduction of animals by Europeans, such as horses and cows, transformed indigenous lifestyles. The domestication of animals, alongside agriculture, enabled the growth of established and advanced societies in Mesoamerica.
Step-by-step explanation:
The people of Mesoamerica used animals for a variety of purposes, which were crucial to their way of life and survival. With an absence of large grazing animals such as cows, goats, or sheep, there was a distinct form of farming practiced by civilizations like the Maya, which did not involve clearing the jungle for grassland.
Instead, they kept smaller domesticated animals like guinea pigs for meat. Furthermore, due to the terrain and the nature of the animals available, such as the Andean camelids, the ancient people of the Andes could not use animals to pull heavy wagons or carry them, affecting how they developed their road systems and transportation methods.
With the arrival of Europeans, many animals like horses, cows, and goats were introduced to the Americas, transforming the lifestyles of Indigenous communities through new sources of protein and materials like wool. In regions like the Eastern Woodlands, animals like bison, deer, and small game provided food, hides for clothing, shelter, and other necessities.