Which mammal or mammals can survive in Mars?

Question

My sixth grader has an assignment about what kind of mammal could survive living in Mars. I've searched and my guess is the human. ( with technology of course).

Answer 1

Right now, nothing could live on Mars. The atmosphere is very very thin, and there's virtually no oxygen (it's about 95% carbon dioxide). It's colder than Earth, of course, since it's farther from the Sun, so the water that is on Mars is mostly, if not all, frozen solid. Also, because of the thin atmosphere, sunlight reaches the surface practically unimpeded - the amount of UV radiation from the Sun that reaches the surface is enough to sterilize the surface entirely. So many some organism that doesn't need oxygen could survive under the surface if there is any liquid water there, but we're talking bacteria at best, and it's still not very likely.

Of course with technology (current and future) theoretically any animal could survive, especially if you build a biodome. If humans could survive, there's no reason any other living thing couldn't survive. But we would have to bring everything we would need - we couldn't live off the land, since Martian soil has no nutrients and there's still that pesky lack of oxygen and liquid water to deal with.

Answer 2

You got me, I'm wondering if some very very small mammals like voles or something could live there b/c they are closest to the ground where the air would be concentrated, but I seriously doubt any mammal could survive as they currently are built. Plus there are no plants to create more oxygen for a mammal.

I just checked and the Oxygen content of Mars' atmosphere is 0.13% compared to earth's 21%. I say nothing other than humans as well.

Answer 3

no mammal can survive on Mars w/o external help. They all breathe oxygen, and Mars has only a very very thin atmopshere, and it is made of CO2 which, for all mammals, is a poison.

now if you bring with you, or erect, an air-tight, heating base, then pretty much any mammal could survive there (and most likely, at least a rat or two would hitch hike a ride ;-)

now if by surviving, it is meant "surviving using its physical abilities and skills", then only human beings are capable of it.

Answer 4

Obviously, no mammal or earth living thing can survive in a no oxygen environment. And for Mars, scientist are still in their early stages of experiments. It will be years before any country establishes a settlement colony in Mars. And like you said, technology will be supreme.

Answer 5

Very doubtful that any (including humans) Could survive "living" on Mars.

A visit perhaps - It's not just the technology, there's really just nothing there to "sustain" life; you'd go nuts - even interaction with home via radio is 45 minutes delayed, no conversation.

Could it happen some day? Sure, but not yet.

Answer 6

hummm!! to be honest No mammal would leave on MARS.. there has been traces of oxygen bubbles found on rocks in mars, but as we already know.. the posibility of havin a life form is slim..

you would need to build a big oxygen house just to put life or a mammal on mars...

Answer 7

I'm not even sure that cockroaches can survive on mars at this time. But with technology, anything that we bring with us can survive there. I'd say Humans, sheep, goats, dogs, cats, and any other traditional animal that would be useful.

Answer 8

Nothing because the air on mars is to scarce due to the lack of an atmosphere. Unless humans terraform the planet to develope an atmosphere.

Answer 9

My question is, which mammal can survive in a Snickers?

Answer 10

I thought Mars was too hot for anything to live there...??? I dont know thought. Thats just what I thought!