If humans were to go extinct, what would be the next dominant species on the planet.?

Question

sophist: I like that answer... but it really depends. If the environment was unsuitable for humans, something similar would do just as bad. But if we all just died off, then maybe. I should have been more specific.

Answer 1

Lawyers and politicians

Answer 2

Since the planet is about 3/4 covered by water (probably moreso in the not to distant future), I'd guess it would be an aquatic or amphibian species. It's arguable that humans are the dominant species now, but that's not the question.

Answer 3

it depends on why humans went extinct. If we nuke each other and kill everything else off, then cockroaches/insects. In theory, the world in a few million years is suppose to change enough, so that amphibians become the dominant species again...unless we cause them all to go extinct.

Answer 4

If given a couple of thousand years then maybe some sort of primate would chain off and become domanant. But, we screwed up the primate's habitats enough so probably rats.

Answer 5

After humans, the second most populous animal species on the planet are seals. So, my guess would be them.

Answer 6

Crows and ravens have been shown to be remarkably intelligent. In addition their population is large and widespread, and they already inhabit our urban areas.

I think they're a good candidate to fill the "intelligence niche" if we are to go extinct.

Answer 7

Animals.

Answer 8

The octopus would be the next dominant species 'cause they'll learn to breath air, and use their tentacles to swing from trees.

Answer 9

Chimpanzees. The show most of our characteristics. Just like Allosaurus was replaced by T-rex.

Answer 10

Frogs

Answer 11

Fish, it depends on what do you mean by 'dominant'.
It also depends on why humans were wiped out.