# Every canid & felid on Earth dies. What other species could we domesticate? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [March 2, 2009, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/every-canid-felid-on-earth-dies-what-other-species-could-we-domesticate/488071 "2009-03-02T23:07:27Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/13edae/32.png) [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stranger_On_A_Train)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2009, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/every-canid-felid-on-earth-dies-what-other-species-could-we-domesticate/488071/41 "2009-03-03T20:40:25Z")
> [@BMalion](#): > > Tell that to [Timothy Treadwell.](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grizzly_Man) Treadwell survived thirteen summer seasons in the “Grizzly Maze”, an area of Katami National Park that is very densely populated with grizzly bears (_Ursus arctos horribilis_). He lived in immediate proximity and approached bears regularly to distances less than the allowed minimum or done by trained zoologists and biologists, despite having no prior professional experience with large animals. The reason, accepted by a wide consensus of both critics and friends of Treadwell, why he and his girlfriend were killed, is because he returned to the Maze late in season after migration had begun, and attracted the attention of an older bear foraging for fats in preparation of hibernation. (While Treadwell was a vegetarian, there was evidence that his girlfriend had stored or eaten sausage in cheese in the tent the night they were attacked. The tent was also located at a junction of trails.) Anyone who has seen the (somewhat biased and misdirected) Werner Herzog documentary _Grizzly Man_ can attest to the fact that Treadwell was anything but reserved and cautious around bears, and as also not just a bit emotionally unstable. Far from proving that bears are dangerous and typically aggressive animals, the case of Timothy Treadwell indicates just how tolerant and non-aggressive these animals are, even when pressured and all but provoked. The actual number of reported fatal bear attacks per decade through the 20th Century can be typically be counted on fingers, often with many left over. But they would not make suitable pets owning to their general lack of sociable tendencies (though they will socialize around bountiful food sources). Raccoons may be somewhat more amenable as they live in family groups, but as **cjepson** , raccoons tend to display feral behavior upon sexual maturity; the same for squirrels, which would require a lot of breeding to domesticate. Stranger ---
**Author:** ![Terrifel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c68b51/32.png) [@Terrifel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terrifel)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2009, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/every-canid-felid-on-earth-dies-what-other-species-could-we-domesticate/488071/42 "2009-03-03T20:57:00Z")
> [@Lemur866](#): > > Oh, a tough guy. You got something you wanna say, tough guy? Huh? Well, I’m right here if you wanna say something, tough guy. I meant the… the other lemur. In fact, I may not even be thinking of lemurs. What’s that thing that’s sort of like a lemur, but isn’t? The aye-aye? Yes. Of course I meant to say ‘aye-aye.’ ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2009, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/every-canid-felid-on-earth-dies-what-other-species-could-we-domesticate/488071/43 "2009-03-03T21:01:56Z")
I didn’t see it but not ONE person mentioned parrots? Or is it because parrots are already semi-domesticated? (Not really. They will live with us as pets, but it’s way more on their terms than even cats). Reptiles are good, I think. ---
**Author:** ![Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2009, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/every-canid-felid-on-earth-dies-what-other-species-could-we-domesticate/488071/44 "2009-03-03T21:03:35Z")
> [@Anaamika](#): > > I didn’t see it but not ONE person mentioned parrots? Or is it because parrots are already semi-domesticated? (Not really. They will live with us as pets, but it’s way more on their terms than even cats). > > Reptiles are good, I think. **Mika** , do you have any reason to believe that there’s a reptile with sufficient brain capacity to take the place of cats & dogs? That’s not a rhetorical question, by the way. I gave those up for Lent. I’d like to know if my opinion of reptile stupidity is justifed. ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2009, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/every-canid-felid-on-earth-dies-what-other-species-could-we-domesticate/488071/45 "2009-03-03T21:15:33Z")
> [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](#): > > **Mika** , do you have any reason to believe that there’s a reptile with sufficient brain capacity to take the place of cats & dogs? > > That’s not a rhetorical question, by the way. I gave those up for Lent. I’d like to know if my opinion of reptile stupidity is justifed. I don’t think so…but that’s implying that all of the characteristics of dogs and cats are something good! Myself, I hate slobber, hate that they poop everywhere, hate the fur and the smell, etc. But reptiles are not very bright. Or shall I say, differentially bright? Evolution did not make them to need all of that stuff, and there were no humans breeding them. But did you say that was a requirement in the OP? I skimmed it, perhaps I missed it. ---
**Author:** ![Terrifel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c68b51/32.png) [@Terrifel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terrifel)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2009, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/every-canid-felid-on-earth-dies-what-other-species-could-we-domesticate/488071/46 "2009-03-03T21:26:28Z")
Actually monitor lizards are generally considered to be extremely intelligent. They are trainable and have a good memory. Supposedly they can also learn to count. ---
**Author:** ![Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2009, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/every-canid-felid-on-earth-dies-what-other-species-could-we-domesticate/488071/47 "2009-03-03T23:11:07Z")
> [@Anaamika](#): > > I don’t think so…but that’s implying that all of the characteristics of dogs and cats are something good! Myself, I hate slobber, hate that they poop everywhere, hate the fur and the smell, etc. But reptiles are not very bright. Or shall I say, differentially bright? Evolution did not make them to need all of that stuff, and there were no humans breeding them. > > But did you say that was a requirement in the OP? I skimmed it, perhaps I missed it. No, I was just wondering. I thirst for all knowledge. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2009, 11:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/every-canid-felid-on-earth-dies-what-other-species-could-we-domesticate/488071/48 "2009-03-03T23:27:48Z")
Chinchillas are friendly and adorable: [File:Chin resting on sofa.JPG - Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Chin_resting_on_sofa.JPG) Another vote for meerkats: [File:Suricata.suricatta.6861.jpg - Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Suricata.suricatta.6861.jpg) Or mongeese: [File:Dwarf mongoose Korkeasaari zoo.jpg - Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Dwarf_mongoose_Korkeasaari_zoo.jpg) Or hedgehodgs: [File:Igel01.jpg - Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Igel01.jpg) Or even beavers: [File:Castor canadensis.jpg - Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Castor_canadensis.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2009, 12:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/every-canid-felid-on-earth-dies-what-other-species-could-we-domesticate/488071/49 "2009-03-04T00:03:12Z")
> [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](#): > > Chinchillas are friendly and adorable: [File:Chin resting on sofa.JPG - Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Chin_resting_on_sofa.JPG) > > Another vote for meerkats: [File:Suricata.suricatta.6861.jpg - Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Suricata.suricatta.6861.jpg) > > Or mongeese: [File:Dwarf mongoose Korkeasaari zoo.jpg - Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Dwarf_mongoose_Korkeasaari_zoo.jpg) Well, I should’ve thought of the mongoose myself. [I mean, we all know the story of greatest of their line.](http://www.cs.cmu.edu/afs/cs/usr/mongoose/www/rtt.html) ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2009, 1:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/every-canid-felid-on-earth-dies-what-other-species-could-we-domesticate/488071/50 "2009-03-04T01:50:15Z")
Chinchillas also have extraordinarily soft fur. Here’s another picture (WARNING: Dangerously cute photo follows) : [File:Chinchillapets.jpg - Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Chinchillapets.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![Lynn\_Bodoni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e47c2d/32.png) [@Lynn\_Bodoni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lynn_Bodoni)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2009, 2:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/every-canid-felid-on-earth-dies-what-other-species-could-we-domesticate/488071/51 "2009-03-04T02:34:15Z")
> [@Anaamika](#): > > I didn’t see it but not ONE person mentioned parrots? Or is it because parrots are already semi-domesticated? (Not really. They will live with us as pets, but it’s way more on their terms than even cats). > > Reptiles are good, I think. I’d be pretty happy with parrots, or even budgies. If I didn’t have cats now, I’d have budgies, at least. Many birds are sociable and very entertaining, especially if you provide dance music. 😃 [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cJOZp2ZftCw](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cJOZp2ZftCw) [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=geAWmDCWYXQ](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=geAWmDCWYXQ) [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NAEi1zM16OM](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NAEi1zM16OM) [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oxEcFAOIPto](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oxEcFAOIPto) I would also have fish if I didn’t have cats, but I’ve never seen a dancing fish. Well, not a dancing REAL fish. ---
**Author:** ![Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2009, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/every-canid-felid-on-earth-dies-what-other-species-could-we-domesticate/488071/52 "2009-03-04T17:58:53Z")
> [@Lynn\_Bodoni](#): > > I’d be pretty happy with parrots, or even budgies. If I didn’t have cats now, I’d have budgies, at least. Many birds are sociable and very entertaining, especially if you provide dance music. 😃 [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cJOZp2ZftCw](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cJOZp2ZftCw) > [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=geAWmDCWYXQ](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=geAWmDCWYXQ) > [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NAEi1zM16OM](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NAEi1zM16OM) > [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oxEcFAOIPto](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oxEcFAOIPto) > > I would also have fish if I didn’t have cats, but I’ve never seen a dancing fish. Well, not a dancing REAL fish. Do people grow emotionally attached to fish? Non-insane people, I mean. I know for many, dogs & cats are surrogate children, and while I don’t share that view I can understand it. But I can’t see it being extended to fish. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2009, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/every-canid-felid-on-earth-dies-what-other-species-could-we-domesticate/488071/53 "2009-03-04T18:14:22Z")
I’m voting for miniature pigs. They already exist so the genetics are there. Physically, they can live in the same environments that cats and dogs do. And pigs have individual personalities which is a requirement for real pets and which most other animals lack. It would probably end the sale of pork though. People want to think of animals as pets or food products not both. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2009, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/every-canid-felid-on-earth-dies-what-other-species-could-we-domesticate/488071/54 "2009-03-04T18:39:25Z")
I already have parrots rather than a dog or cat. Parrots are not really domesticated as captive breeding didn’t really take off in a big way until the 20th Century, what they really are is brain washed from infancy to accept humans as part of the flock. It still works pretty, well, though. ---
**Author:** ![Wiggie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/0ea827/32.png) [@Wiggie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wiggie)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2009, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/every-canid-felid-on-earth-dies-what-other-species-could-we-domesticate/488071/55 "2009-03-04T19:17:32Z")
> [@Terrifel](#): > > and a hand on their nose. I don’t know why, but this has me HOWLING! ---
**Author:** ![Wiggie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/0ea827/32.png) [@Wiggie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wiggie)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2009, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/every-canid-felid-on-earth-dies-what-other-species-could-we-domesticate/488071/56 "2009-03-04T19:21:00Z")
> [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](#): > > Do people grow emotionally attached to fish? Somewhat, for me. Granted, when I lose a cat I boo-hoo profusely and am depressed for days or even weeks (or in one case, months, but there were other things going on at the time, too), but when I lose a fish I just feel badly for it for a day or two. Fish do have personalities, but of course they don’t return affection. Because of this, the emotional attachment is there, but is limited. ---
**Author:** ![Acid\_Lamp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d6d6ee/32.png) [@Acid\_Lamp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acid_Lamp)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2009, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/every-canid-felid-on-earth-dies-what-other-species-could-we-domesticate/488071/57 "2009-03-04T22:14:55Z")
Having worked with all sorts of exotics for several years, I’ll vote for raccoons and their near relatives or evolutionary counterparts as well as the mustelids for smaller pet replacements. I’ve raised a raccoon before, and while the first breeding season can be rough, providing the animal with it’s own space and a sexual surrogate eliminates most problems completely as does early neutering in kithood. Bears would be the logical replacement for larger guard animals if the genetics of the mustelids and raccoon type animals are not plastic enough to produce what we are looking for. If I recall correctly, the wolverine is the largest of the natural mustelids and maxes out at around 60 lbs. However, certain species of bear are quite small and range around the 100lb mark. Primates are best left alone, and while a miniature elephant would be really cool, the feed and poo problem would be a major issue. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2009, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/every-canid-felid-on-earth-dies-what-other-species-could-we-domesticate/488071/58 "2009-03-04T22:27:39Z")
> [@](#): > > Do people grow emotionally attached to fish? My personal opinion is that fish aren’t really pets. They’re the equivalent of houseplants - their purpose is to look nice. ---
**Author:** ![Eleanor\_of\_Aquitaine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a88e4f/32.png) [@Eleanor\_of\_Aquitaine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eleanor_of_Aquitaine)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2009, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/every-canid-felid-on-earth-dies-what-other-species-could-we-domesticate/488071/59 "2009-03-04T22:40:31Z")
I just wanted to mention Connie Willis’ Hugo-winning novella [The Last of the Winnebagos](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Last_of_the_Winnebagos) (1989), which is about a dystopian future where a pandemic has killed off all the dogs. It’s quite sad. ---
**Author:** ![davekhps](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a5b964/32.png) [@davekhps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davekhps)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2009, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/every-canid-felid-on-earth-dies-what-other-species-could-we-domesticate/488071/60 "2009-03-05T20:21:48Z")
Any chance of breeding the mean streak out of koalas? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/every-canid-felid-on-earth-dies-what-other-species-could-we-domesticate/488071.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/every-canid-felid-on-earth-dies-what-other-species-could-we-domesticate/488071.md?page=4)