Here’s the scenario:

A divine force has given you the sole right to determine which 50 animal species will survive for another 2,000 years. There’s a heavy weight on your shoulders, because all the other species will almost certainly bite the bullet.

Here’s the poser:

Is a cat on your list. And, if so, why?

Domestic cat? Nah. Big cat, certainly.

Yes – because I’m feline generous.

Purrrfect!!

At 50 species, the ecosystem is royally screwed so I don’t think it matters.

Been thinking about the species I would put in the save file first:

1. Cow
2. Pig
3. Sheep
4. Goat

(meat eater, apologies)

Then, ones I just like:

5. Zebra
6. Gemsbok
7. Gibbon
8. Giraffe

42 to go…

Edit: @Cougar: you’re right, I know. Just wanted to find out if anyone would keep domestic cats at the expense of other – how shall I put this? – non-evil animals.

At 50 species, the ecosystem is royally screwed so I don’t think it matters.

Have to agree with that!

Bee’s… I love honey!

At 50 species, the ecosystem is royally screwed so I don’t think it matters.

Maybe, but all the other species might only die out after 1999 years, so wouldn’t really matter to you. If I had to choose, I’d do some serious biological research into what would most likely give the most stable system. If I wasn’t allowed to do the research, I think I’d struggle to name 50 species, so I’d probably stick F. catus on there.

5. Zebra

There’s 3 different species of zebra.

i cant help but think you’re not focussing on your book writing duties with the dedication we deserve.

I would send spiders and wasps to the back of the queue for sure!

the 50 would all have to be edible 🙂

i cant help but think you’re not focussing on your book writing duties with the dedication we deserve.

Sheesh, you can’t get away with anything on here!

🙂

** Refocuses mind on man-eating sexual predator slugs that can’t pass wind **

How does STW feel about E. dofleini?

Bees and ants would be handy, but there’re millions of different bee and ant species so I’m not sure how much difference it’d make.

Basically with only 50 species you’re screwed.

How does STW feel about E. dofleini?

Can’t speak for anyone else on here, but I’m a sucker for large paddle-like papillae.

there’re millions of different bee and ant species

I think for ease of argument we’re looking at the biblical idea of ‘types’ of animal.

On a similar note then, what’s your favourite element? Fire, earth, water,…

Leeloo.

I think for ease of argument we’re looking at the biblical idea of ‘types’ of animal.

Ah. In which case “cats” gets you tigers, lions, lynxes etc., as well as the domestic model? Bargin!

I don’t think any mammals would be on he list, they aren’t hardy enough to survive the environmental changes I expect will happen in the very near future, and therefore they would be a waisted choice,

No cats
No wasps
No humans

That’s the three most evil forces removed. Pick the rest out of a hat.

Start with the ones at the bottom of the food chain and you’ll give those further up it a fighting chance, so I’d start with plankton and work up from there.

If you want to save foxes you’d better make sure there are plenty of rabbits.

Cats, yes because they are fun to tease and they eat mice.

Dogs because they are useful when they’re not biting runners and cyclists or pooping on the pavement.

Horses because they can do all kinds of useful stuff including being raced.

Chickens because I enjoy eating them.

‘Generation A’ by Douglas Coupland is set in very near future where bees have died out and he projects all sorts of problems with plants, flowers and veg due to pollination or lack of. So not bees then.

Not a fan of slugs, but then what would the birds eat? And who would hoover up the dog mess on the cycle path near work if the slugs didn’t? I’d have to get rid of dogs too then. 😕

More seriously there really aren’t supposed to be anyrthing like as many cows in the world as there is currently, there would be all sorts of benefits to the atmosphere and availability of farmland to produce more calories per hectare is we weren’t so keen on beef and cow’s milk products.

The domestic cat would not be in my top 10,000.

No real place in the ecosystem, precious little food value, crap everywhere and kill small birds, selfish fickle fur balls whose only useful purpose is to give advance warning to blokes that their single female owners are single for a reason…

*awaits incoming*

The domestic cat would not be in my top 10,000.

No real place in the ecosystem, precious little food value, crap everywhere and kill small birds, selfish fickle fur balls whose only useful purpose is to give advance warning to blokes that their single female owners are single for a reason…

*awaits incoming*

Nice work! But you haven’t mentioned the evil eyes that bore deep into your soul.

😀

I would like to eliminate the ants from my apartment in India 🙁
Food in plastic wrapping is no barrier as they chew through that to get to stuff they want – got into a big bag of cashews I’d only just bought yesterday 😡

Cheers, Rich