When the human race is extinct, what will take over?

Question

Long ago dinosaurs ruled the Earth. It was a time when reptiles were king.

Now it's obviously humans who are the domniant species on the planet. But nothing lasts forever. Someday we will be gone.

When we go, what species will step up and become the rulers of this planet?

I think it'll be a battle between insects and microbes (viruses, probably).

Answer 1

My best guesses: either ferocious bloodsucking turtles, giant 60 foot long earthworms, or super intelligent octopus mathematicians. Maybe chimps or gorillas. Those darned dirty apes!

Answer 2

Roaches will take over. And then they'll battle the dolphins. And it will be a mighty war.

Now seriously, the fact we're the way we are is just an evolutionary fluke. It's not very likely it will happen again with any other species, but if it happens good for them.

Now, if you look at it from a biomass point of view, plants and insects are way ahead of us in the whole controlling the planet thing, so my guess is that if humans were to become extinct, plants and insects will likely remain king of the castle, by breeding exponentially and feeding the base of the food chain. Eventually another species shall become top predator and eat just about anything, but for technology to happen again... nah, don't think so.

Grim outlook isn't it?
Cheers.

Answer 3

Humans only "dominate" in the sense that we control our environment through technology. Insects, microbes, and plants outnumber us so vastly that our disappearance would hardly affect them (except for the few species that are adapted to live on, in, or around humans). They wouldn't have any "stepping up" to do, since they're already the majority of the biomass.

I think it's very unlikely that if humans became extinct, another species would develop a technological society. Life on earth flourished for four billion years without technology; I think our society is just a temporary fluke.

Answer 4

Nothing will take over.If the human race is to become extinct all the creatures in the earth will become extinct.By the way the word extinct is used only if there is gradual decrease in the population due to some adverse conditions.Considering the scientific advancement the human community has it will not encounter such problems.
If at all all the organisms in the earth becomes destroyed by something, the evoulution will start again.from nitrogen,carbon,oxygen to aminoacid, protein, bacteria, amoeba .....to man.
than u can ask the same question.

Answer 5

Cockroaches because they are not killed by nuclear disasters - they can go on without a head for three days after which they die because of not being able to uptake food and they have extremely sharp mouth parts and they can fly and they practically eat everything! when we are gone what else is so well adapted to take over the nsomething whcih can live in forests as well as in urban areas and eat everything? And they have not evolved in many, many years...probably even before the dinosaurs' reign!!!

Answer 6

I dissagree with the insect and microbes postulation. I believe, and this unarguably depends on the manner in which we as a species ultimately perish, that over time, more mammals will develop and gently mutate, adapt and ultimately become masters of their domain. My bets are on rats and bats. I recommend Orson Scott-Card earthbound series.

Answer 7

When the human race extinct another race arises. Because as the unicellular organisms are left behind they follow the same process to give birth to a new race .i.e.they combine togather to form other multi cellular organisms and these organisms in time evolves to frm new race of living things.

Answer 8

Cockroaches.... and Cher.

The only living beings able to resist radiation, one an insect, the other is made of plastic. Ahh, maybe Michael.

Answer 9

Cockroaches!

Answer 10

When we become extinct it will be because we blew our planet up not because of anything else... So nothing will be left... WELL maybe a cockroach or two since apperently they can live through anything...

Answer 11

I don't think it will be viruses since they are unstable and can only handle certain conditions. My bet is on cockroaches. Those things can survive anything, including HUGE amounts of radiation.