Evolution: A Lighthearted Question

Just for the heck of it....

Pretend that evolution never provided the Earth with primates.

Based on that premise, which present day animal do you think would (after a gazillion years) become the dominant species (with 'advanced' societies, etc)?

My first though was the octopus. They are very smart and very good at manipulating their environment. Unfortunately, they don't live long enough to really 'pass things on' to their offspring, so that would hamper their ability to build on the accomplishments of previous generations. Plus, just being underwater would be problematic (which is why I'm not picking dolphins either). Sure, sea creatures could evolve to be able to survive on land, but in that time I'm thinking critters that are already on land would be evolving as well and I'm not sure they could ever be caught up with.

So, all in all, and also considering I certainly don't know every creature on the planet........ I'm going with Raccoons.

Raccoons are incredibly smart (just look at how 'creative' they can be when trying to get into a secured garbage can or into a vacant building). They have the ability to survive in harsh conditions (both hot and cold). They appear to have somewhat stable 'family units' (at least during the early parts of raising offspring). They already have little 'hands' that they can use to manipulate (and possibly build) things. So, there's my answer. Take people and their predecessors out of the equation, add X-millions of years, and there's your king of the mountain. The Raccoon.

What say you?

EDIT: Oh yeah, and Raccoons can eat just about anything, which can come in useful.

The cockroach. Capable of surviving virtually anywhere.

It's safe to assume one of the ocean animals squids > dolphins/whales no land animals. But I don't think evolution accounts for the development of more intelligent animals. Most people who approach this subject will take on an anthropomorphic stance that shows that intelligence animal requires to take on the physical traits similar to that human beings and that without these traits it would be impossible for them to become intelligent. Hehe--well, that's silly. The problem is a lot of our assumptions involving genetics and evolution are still in their infancy and out right wrong in regards to what it all means.

Why assume that there even would be a dominant species?

I'm not sure that any species would.

And to be honest, I'm not sure that humans are as dominant as some think we are.

Why assume that there even would be a dominant species?

MrGeezer

I'm not sure that any species would.

And to be honest, I'm not sure that humans are as dominant as some think we are.

BuryMe

I don't think any other species would have the need to develop an opposable thumb...But for the sake of the thread I will say dolphins. I could see evolution taking over and negating their need for water and developing more human-like appendages.spazzx625

I agree with the thumb supposition, so I'd have to go for pandas or possums (as they have thumbs)

humans, i can only assume that is what they would call them selves when translated into english. they would also look hot

[QUOTE="spazzx625"]I don't think any other species would have the need to develop an opposable thumb...But for the sake of the thread I will say dolphins. I could see evolution taking over and negating their need for water and developing more human-like appendages.tenaka2

I agree with the thumb supposition, so I'd have to go for pandas or possums (as they have thumbs)

I don't know what you're talking about OP, everybody knows that ants are the dominant species on Earth.

It's a silly question because we can only imagine our current life except without humans and apes, but to actually go back and recount millions of years of evolution could result in a completely different specturm of species.

I personally think Street sharks would be the dominant:

[QUOTE="BuryMe"]

I'm not sure that any species would.

And to be honest, I'm not sure that humans are as dominant as some think we are.

Engrish_Major

That's not fair. Everybody knows that dogs are not good at Connect Four. If you had played Hungy Hippoes, it would have been quite a different story.

That's not fair. Everybody knows that dogs are not good at Connect Four. If you had played Hungy Hippoes, it would have been quite a different story.

GreySeal9

As a function of probability, this one is particularly difficult.

The cockroach. Capable of surviving virtually anywhere.

sonicare

its called the THEORY of evolution for a reason.codgodpro

Exactly. There is no documented evidence for evolution ever having occurred. Moreover, it's not as if scientists have no financial incentives to research a theory they may or may not have fabricated. It's only a matter of time before the science bubble bursts and we go through a technological recession.

[QUOTE="codgodpro"]its called the THEORY of evolution for a reason.coolbeans90

Exactly. There is no documented evidence for evolution ever having occurred. Moreover, it's not as if scientists have no financial incentives to research a theory they may or may not have fabricated. It's only a matter of time before the science bubble bursts and we go through a technological recession.

Oh man, should I stock up on transistors?

[QUOTE="codgodpro"]its called the THEORY of evolution for a reason.coolbeans90

Exactly. There is no documented evidence for evolution ever having occurred. Moreover, it's not as if scientists have no financial incentives to research a theory they may or may not have fabricated. It's only a matter of time before the science bubble bursts and we go through a technological recession.

Its a light hearted question, evilution is obviously false but just pretend for the sake of the thread.

Oh man, should I stock up on transistors?

Blue-Sky

[QUOTE="coolbeans90"]

[QUOTE="codgodpro"]its called the THEORY of evolution for a reason.tenaka2

Exactly. There is no documented evidence for evolution ever having occurred. Moreover, it's not as if scientists have no financial incentives to research a theory they may or may not have fabricated. It's only a matter of time before the science bubble bursts and we go through a technological recession.

Its a light hearted question, evilution is obviously false but just pretend for the sake of the thread.

DINOSAURS

But Noah forgot them :(

*tossing out feed*Engrish_Major

[QUOTE="tenaka2"]

[QUOTE="coolbeans90"]

Exactly. There is no documented evidence for evolution ever having occurred. Moreover, it's not as if scientists have no financial incentives to research a theory they may or may not have fabricated. It's only a matter of time before the science bubble bursts and we go through a technological recession.

coolbeans90

Its a light hearted question, evilution is obviously false but just pretend for the sake of the thread.

DINOSAURS

But Noah forgot them :(

[QUOTE="tenaka2"]

[QUOTE="coolbeans90"]

Exactly. There is no documented evidence for evolution ever having occurred. Moreover, it's not as if scientists have no financial incentives to research a theory they may or may not have fabricated. It's only a matter of time before the science bubble bursts and we go through a technological recession.

coolbeans90

Its a light hearted question, evilution is obviously false but just pretend for the sake of the thread.

DINOSAURS

But Noah forgot them :(

WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAALES (Any Gojira fans?). But yeah, my answer is whales or dolphins

Squirrels.

Why?

Just because.

That's all I have to say

That's all I have to say

Blue-Sky

now i feel old

[QUOTE="Blue-Sky"]

That's all I have to say

wis3boi

now i feel old

I found the dad in this show total hot, I think im damaged.

Wolves. They already have a pack mentality, which was kind of the secret to our success.

who could know?

I mean there were no dominant species on the planet before Homosapiens were created,

Sure Neadathals and the Hominids were pretty mean dudes but they didnt control the environment like we do

None. Or at least I don't think any would become nearly as dominant as human. I guess the animal with the fewest natural predators and a high intelligence level would be it.

Dolphins perhaps. Your raccoon idea isn't bad though. also maybe parrots since they live a very long time and have the ability repeat sounds. It doesn't take much imagination to predict that they would end up learning what those sounds mean and learn from every living species they come in contact with.

Wolves. They already have a pack mentality, which was kind of the secret to our success.

Jackc8

There are numerous factors at play. WE look at ourselves and pick various traits we recognize as important, and then say "to be intelligent one must have these traits"... I don't see why it would be those traits exclusively. It may be more probable, but I wouldn't say exclusive, or even necessary.

im either going to say mouse/rat or crocodiles...both have been here a very very long time before dinosaurs..they are obviously doing something right

If humans never evolved, my vote would likely go to some kind of cephalopod. Of course, the issue that you brought up over the short life span is still there. But if they are able to evolve to live longer or have some kind of record keeping, it may be possible.

If humans never evolved, my vote would likely go to some kind of cephalopod. Of course, the issue that you brought up over the short life span is still there. But if they are able to evolve to live longer or have some kind of record keeping, it may be possible.

dagreenfish

Kangaroos obviously. We're just lucky they have been blocked off in Australia for most of history.

This is the only correct answer.

Lizard.

hard to say, but i would guess some sort of reptile, because since you say apes never existed, the dinsoaurs have been the only dominant species on this planet.

.