# De-extinctify a species **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [June 13, 2019, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/de-extinctify-a-species/835480 "2019-06-13T15:58:27Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![Moris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/moris/32/2846_2.png) [@Moris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moris)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2019, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/de-extinctify-a-species/835480/81 "2019-06-15T15:24:45Z")
Let’s finally find out what Dickinsonia is. > **[Dickinsonia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dickinsonia)** > > Dickinsonia is an extinct genus of basal animal that lived during the late Ediacaran period in what is now Australia, China, Russia and Ukraine. The individual Dickinsonia typically resembles a bilaterally symmetrical ribbed oval. Its affinities are presently unknown; its mode of growth is consistent with a stem-group bilaterian affinity, though some have suggested that it belongs to the fungi, or even an "extinct kingdom". The discovery of cholesterol molecules in fossils of Dickinso Dickinson... ---
**Author:** ![armedmonkey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d6d6ee/32.png) [@armedmonkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/armedmonkey)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2019, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/de-extinctify-a-species/835480/82 "2019-06-15T15:36:54Z")
My first thought was the Woolly Rhino. I could RULE the neighborhood! But then I thought wait, the other members of my home owners association would have Woolly Rhinos, too, and they might not take too kindly to me doing that. But then I thought wait, a Woolly Rhino War would be AWESOME! In actuality, though, I like my neighbors. I think I’d pick the Dodo bird and invite them over for a barbeque. Historical accounts say they are quite tasty. ---
**Author:** ![naita](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/naita/32/5862_2.png) [@naita](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/naita)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2019, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/de-extinctify-a-species/835480/83 "2019-06-15T16:00:23Z")
> [@Ranchoth](#): > > _Variola Major_. > > Why so serious? 😃 Variola Major is only extinct in the wild. So there! ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2019, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/de-extinctify-a-species/835480/84 "2019-06-15T16:54:06Z")
> [@Filbert](#): > > [whine]Yeah, the one mentioned in the OP[/whine]… That was a mommoth, not an elephant. Owners would have to deal with the shedding - I’m marketing my Malteses as hypoallergenic! ---
**Author:** ![Filbert](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/filbert/32/3433_2.png) [@Filbert](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Filbert)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2019, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/de-extinctify-a-species/835480/85 "2019-06-15T18:32:09Z")
> [@MrDibble](#): > > That was a mommoth, not an elephant. Owners would have to deal with the shedding - I’m marketing my Malteses as hypoallergenic! Mine’re smaller and the jury’s still out on the hair situation anyway. Besides, if they are hairy, I can always shave 'em or aim the marketing round braiding them and putting little bows in. Micro-mammoth© The ultimate pet for wannabe hairdressers! ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2019, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/de-extinctify-a-species/835480/86 "2019-06-15T19:09:21Z")
“Micro” is a funny adjective for a pet that’s larger than a mastiff. ---
**Author:** ![ftg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ftg/32/2801_2.png) [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2019, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/de-extinctify-a-species/835480/87 "2019-06-15T20:14:24Z")
> [@MrDibble](#): > > That was a mommoth, not an elephant. Wasn’t there a book and/or movie _The Mommoth Prophecies_? 🙂 A giant lepidopteran with tusks is rumored to haunt a remote area. ---
**Author:** ![TSBG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/77aa72/32.png) [@TSBG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TSBG)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2019, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/de-extinctify-a-species/835480/88 "2019-06-15T22:27:56Z")
In a follow-on, OP says: “It’s all linked up to an exceptionally well organised database of current common and scientific names, so you can pretty well try any name, and mostly it can work out what you mean, showing multiple images if multiple species share a common name or the spelling’s ambiguous.” Seems like you could game this a little by typing in “tyranossarus steggorex” and having the machine show you a couple pictures of T Rex and Stegosaurus and asking “which do you mean?” So you could settle the feathers-and-if-so-what-color debate, and many others, without actually implementing the machine. ---
**Author:** ![carrps](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carrps/32/2957_2.png) [@carrps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carrps)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2019, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/de-extinctify-a-species/835480/89 "2019-06-15T23:30:36Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > Yes, one of my top choices also, and it wouldn’t upset the environment. There is a small possibility that it is still around. > > I would ask for the Great Auk. I think Iceland would do a great job of protecting it. > > The Dodo would be a decent choice, but I dont know how well Mauritius would do in protecting it. > > Mammal? Stellers Sea Cow. I’ve always wanted to see a live Dodo. I think it’s because it was the first species that I had heard described as extinct. I knew dinosaurs weren’t around any more, but it was specifically Dodos that I thought of when extinction came up. Probably because of the expression “Dead as a Dodo.” ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2019, 4:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/de-extinctify-a-species/835480/90 "2019-06-16T04:02:55Z")
And dodos probably taste good. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2019, 4:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/de-extinctify-a-species/835480/91 "2019-06-16T04:17:25Z")
> [@puzzlegal](#): > > And dodos probably taste good. Some people said they were great, other said 'disgusting". ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2019, 4:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/de-extinctify-a-species/835480/92 "2019-06-16T04:21:11Z")
Probably depended on what they ate. ---
**Author:** ![Filbert](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/filbert/32/3433_2.png) [@Filbert](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Filbert)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2019, 10:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/de-extinctify-a-species/835480/93 "2019-06-16T10:29:10Z")
Also probably depended on how long the eater’d been living on mouldy ship’s biscuits. ---
**Author:** ![Ike\_Witt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ike_witt/32/283_2.png) [@Ike\_Witt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ike_Witt)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2019, 12:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/de-extinctify-a-species/835480/94 "2019-06-17T12:02:39Z")
> [@puzzlegal](#): > > Probably depended on what they ate. Dodo. Do try and keep up 😃 ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2019, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/de-extinctify-a-species/835480/95 "2019-06-17T14:58:38Z")
> [@Filbert](#): > > Also probably depended on how long the eater’d been living on mouldy ship’s biscuits. More weevils than mold. “Remember to always choose the lesser of two weevils!” ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2019, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/de-extinctify-a-species/835480/96 "2019-06-17T18:31:46Z")
I think dodos ate fruit and other vegetation, though. And the rest of the pigeon family is tasty. So they probably tasted pretty good. ---
**Author:** ![TimfromNapa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/d26b3c/32.png) [@TimfromNapa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TimfromNapa)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2019, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/de-extinctify-a-species/835480/97 "2019-06-17T19:51:35Z")
> [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](#): > > The Coelacanth. > > IT WORKED! You’re welcome:) ---
**Author:** ![TimfromNapa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/d26b3c/32.png) [@TimfromNapa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TimfromNapa)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2019, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/de-extinctify-a-species/835480/98 "2019-06-17T19:52:46Z")
> [@Ike\_Witt](#): > > Dodo. Do try and keep up 😃 I ditto the Dodo. They deserve another chance. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2019, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/de-extinctify-a-species/835480/99 "2019-06-17T20:43:38Z")
Anomalocaris Because weird ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2019, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/de-extinctify-a-species/835480/100 "2019-06-17T23:19:04Z")
> [@puzzlegal](#): > > I think dodos ate fruit and other vegetation, though. And the rest of the pigeon family is tasty. So they probably tasted pretty good. > **[How did the Dodo bird taste and how was it usually prepared?](https://www.quora.com/How-did-the-Dodo-bird-taste-and-how-was-it-usually-prepared)** > > Answer (1 of 6): Here's an excerpt I found on the web (from a source I'm not familiar with) that provides some color re: this question: > > > \> The main purpose dodos served to humans, in the brief contact between the two species, was as food. The... > **[BBC Earth | Environment, Climate Change, AI, Food, Health, Social, &...](https://www.bbc.com/future-planet)** > > As we face the world’s greatest environmental challenges, BBC Earth brings you solutions in psychology, food, climate change, health, social trends, and technology that can make the world a more sustainable place. \*Most people are familiar with the sad story of the dodo. This plump, flightless bird was so tasty and so tame that it was hunted to extinction within a century by Dutch sailors arriving on the shores of Mauritius. Rather fewer people realise that this story is largely incorrect. Tasty? Apparently not – the waste pits from the early Mauritian settlements, which were excavated for a study published in 2013, are full of animal bones from the Dutch dinner table, but there is not a single dodo bone amongst themHunted to extinction? Unlikely – Mauritius was blanketed in thick impenetrable rainforest, and dodos deep in the heartland would have been well beyond the reach of even committed hunters. Plump? No – the tubby bird depicted in modern reconstructions is based on illustrations probably drawn from overfed captive birds or poorly-stuffed dead specimens. In the wild the dodo was a much leaner bird…But the sailors themselves did not make much of a contribution to the dodo’s extinction, says Claessens. “At most there were a few hundred people living in a coastal settlement,” he says. The problem was more likely the ship rats and other animals they brought with them, which spread across the island, eating dodo eggs and outcompeting the birds for food.\* > **[On the Delicacy of the Dodo](http://brer-powerofbabel.blogspot.com/2014/01/on-delicacy-of-dodo.html)** > > The facts about the Dodo are simple and scarce. This large flightless bird was first discovered by explorers in the late Sixteenth Century ... \*But initial investigation indicates that dodos were eaten mainly because of their ease in capture and availability, not for taste; indeed, their alternate Dutch name was “walghvogel”, used in the journal of Vice Admiral Wybrand van Warwijck, who visited Mauritius during the Second Dutch Expedition to Indonesia in 1598. He explained the meaning of the name as follows: “… finding in this place great quantity of foules twice as bigge as swans, which they call Walghstocks or Wallowbirdes being very good meat. But finding an abundance of pigeons & popinnayes [parrots], they disdained any more to eat those great foules calling them Wallowbirds, that is to say lothsome or fulsome birdes.” The “loathsome”–the “disgusting,” the “nauseating” bird–does not sound like “very good meat” and has led to some writers to claim that the birds were only eaten by necessity, and were just plain nasty. But van Warwijk goes on to explain the Dodo was called this “…for the reason that the longer and oftener they were cooked [i.e., “wallowed in the pot”], the less soft and more insipid eating they became. Nevertheless their belly and breast were of a pleasant flavour and easily masticated.” Sir Thomas Herbert in 1634 said “It is reputed more for wonder than for food, greasie [robust] stomackes may seeke after them, but to the delicate they are offensive and of no nourishment.” The one recipe I could find for cooking Dodo suggests it be done with mangoes, fruit native to Mauritius, so it would “taste like something.”\*\* [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/de-extinctify-a-species/835480.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/de-extinctify-a-species/835480.md?page=6)