# We're evacuating the planet for an unspoiled Earth. What animal species do we take with us? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [November 19, 2010, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-evacuating-the-planet-for-an-unspoiled-earth-what-animal-species-do-we-take-with-us/561234 "2010-11-19T17:16:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Markxxx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5daacb/32.png) [@Markxxx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Markxxx)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2010, 10:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-evacuating-the-planet-for-an-unspoiled-earth-what-animal-species-do-we-take-with-us/561234/41 "2010-11-19T22:45:35Z")
A world without bed bugs and roaches??? Oh we can dream šŸ˜ƒ ---
**Author:** ![Unpronounceable](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/9de0a6/32.png) [@Unpronounceable](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Unpronounceable)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2010, 10:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-evacuating-the-planet-for-an-unspoiled-earth-what-animal-species-do-we-take-with-us/561234/42 "2010-11-19T22:53:24Z")
> [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](#): > > Your point being? Why, was the 7-pairs thing your point? Because you didnā€™t actually mention it. And I find it irksome how the incorrect-count version has become the remembered story. Anyway, I thought the board was doing the nested quotes thingā€¦did they stop that? :smack: ---
**Author:** ![Love\_Rhombus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/love_rhombus/32/10694_2.png) [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2010, 3:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-evacuating-the-planet-for-an-unspoiled-earth-what-animal-species-do-we-take-with-us/561234/43 "2010-11-20T03:27:08Z")
Octopuses, because they are awesome. Also bats, because why not? ---
**Author:** ![moldmonkey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ee59a6/32.png) [@moldmonkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/moldmonkey)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2010, 11:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-evacuating-the-planet-for-an-unspoiled-earth-what-animal-species-do-we-take-with-us/561234/44 "2010-11-20T11:36:31Z")
> [@](#): > > Cattle are inefficient as a meat source. See here: [http://www.news.cornell.edu/releases...stock.hrs.html](http://www.news.cornell.edu/releases...stock.hrs.html) As the son & brother of ranchers who has been seeing the idea that beef is a ā€œinefficientā€ food source around a lot lately, I have to point out that it isnā€™t necessary to feed grain to cattle at all and that the heavy grain feedlot diet is a fairly recent development in agriculture due to cheap corn. The Cornell article does make the distinction of grain-fed beef but it seems that many people miss this point. They can graze on land that isnā€™t suitable to grain farming, it will just take longer for them to gain the size and the meat would be very lean and not as tasty. (I grew up on grass-fed beef and actually prefer leaner beef). Until modern specialization of the breeds, most cattle were multipurpose as dairy, draft and meat animals. Very useful for starting over on another planet. Pigs-They will eat about anything and turn it into meat,lard and manure/fertilizer. Goats-Meat, fiber, and dairy. They are also very smart & hardy. Sheep not so much. Horses-Transportation and herding. Chickens-They can provide eggs & meat on a diet of vegetable scraps,some grain, and bugs. The insect control would be a important side benefit. Dogs-Work, security, & companionship. Cats-Vermin control. Bees-Pollination. Wild animals-Assuming there is already wildlife on this alt-Earth, a couple of varieties of wild birds (song,game, & some type of hawk) & at least one kind of deer/antelope. I canā€™t imagine life without seeing birds & deer. Mice, rats, cockroaches, & flys will probably make the trip on their own as stowaways. ---
**Author:** ![Jonathan\_Chance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jonathan_chance/32/701_2.png) [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2010, 1:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-evacuating-the-planet-for-an-unspoiled-earth-what-animal-species-do-we-take-with-us/561234/45 "2010-11-20T13:19:56Z")
God knows that last is true. But we owe it - **owe it** - to dogs to give them first seat. Frankly, theyā€™ve been better partners for us than WE have most days. ---
**Author:** ![Kalypso](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/df705f/32.png) [@Kalypso](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kalypso)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2010, 1:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-evacuating-the-planet-for-an-unspoiled-earth-what-animal-species-do-we-take-with-us/561234/46 "2010-11-21T01:16:03Z")
I grew up on a ranch myself, and raised and sold beef cattle. I still wouldnā€™t pick cattle to take. They are definitely yummy, but the other sources of milk and protien I picked are hardier and take less effort to raise. I think I might change my mind if I knew the planet was largely lush grassland. ---
**Author:** ![Wile\_E](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c37758/32.png) [@Wile\_E](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wile_E)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2010, 1:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-evacuating-the-planet-for-an-unspoiled-earth-what-animal-species-do-we-take-with-us/561234/47 "2010-11-21T01:25:29Z")
Monkeys, because everything is better with monkeys. And if we donā€™t do so well on the artificial intelligence front, monkey butlers. But we need to treat them kindly and make sure they donā€™t rebel. ---
**Author:** ![Zebra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/c0e974/32.png) [@Zebra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zebra)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2010, 8:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-evacuating-the-planet-for-an-unspoiled-earth-what-animal-species-do-we-take-with-us/561234/48 "2010-11-21T08:39:01Z")
If dogs get the first seat then the second seat goes to pigeons. Yes, pigeons. After dogs, pigeons was the second animal domesticated by humans. Pigeons breed quickly and reliably so they are an excellent food source. They can be used for communication. (there are no cell towers over there) They can be used for entertainment via racing or breeding fancy breeds. Pigeons, we need them. ---
**Author:** ![MegaBee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f0a364/32.png) [@MegaBee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MegaBee)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2010, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-evacuating-the-planet-for-an-unspoiled-earth-what-animal-species-do-we-take-with-us/561234/49 "2010-11-22T16:14:35Z")
The domesticated animals listed in Guns, Germs, and Steel. As much as I dislike cats and all things feline, theyā€™re useful for agriculture. Polinators for the crops we bring. ---
**Author:** ![Rigamarole](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/77aa72/32.png) [@Rigamarole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rigamarole)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2010, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-evacuating-the-planet-for-an-unspoiled-earth-what-animal-species-do-we-take-with-us/561234/50 "2010-11-22T16:24:38Z")
As long as we donā€™t bring any Cylons with us, I think weā€™ll be OK. ---
**Author:** ![gonzoron](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a6a055/32.png) [@gonzoron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzoron)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2010, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-evacuating-the-planet-for-an-unspoiled-earth-what-animal-species-do-we-take-with-us/561234/51 "2010-11-22T17:32:31Z")
If we donā€™t take the dogs, Iā€™m not goingā€¦ ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2010, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-evacuating-the-planet-for-an-unspoiled-earth-what-animal-species-do-we-take-with-us/561234/52 "2010-11-22T18:12:59Z")
> [@Anaamika](#): > > I think the animals should leave the damn humans behind. Iā€™m good with that. Do we really deserve a chance to fuck up another planet? ---
**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:** [November 22, 2010, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-evacuating-the-planet-for-an-unspoiled-earth-what-animal-species-do-we-take-with-us/561234/53 "2010-11-22T18:43:52Z")
> [@Jonathan\_Chance](#): > > God knows that last is true. > > But we owe it - **owe it** - to dogs to give them first seat. > > Frankly, theyā€™ve been better partners for us than WE have most days. I hate dogs and will never own one, and even I agree with this. ---
**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:** [November 22, 2010, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-evacuating-the-planet-for-an-unspoiled-earth-what-animal-species-do-we-take-with-us/561234/54 "2010-11-22T18:47:36Z")
> [@RTFirefly](#): > > Iā€™m good with that. Do we really deserve a chance to fuck up another planet? I object to the notion that weā€™ve fucked up this planet. We are part of the planet, just as are beavers, honeybees, and so forth. Unless we are in fact obliterated by an antimatter meteor, life on Earth will outlive us. ETA: And who is to say we DONā€™T deserve to live? Zeus? Klaatu? Darkseid? ---
**Author:** ![TruCelt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trucelt/32/523_2.png) [@TruCelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TruCelt)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2010, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-evacuating-the-planet-for-an-unspoiled-earth-what-animal-species-do-we-take-with-us/561234/55 "2010-11-22T18:56:20Z")
If there are going to be mosquitos then Iā€™m just not playing. I canā€™t think of a better reason to make the move than to escape gnats and mosquitos once and for all. Celtling and I are already packed and can be ready to go in an hour. . . I think goats are the most important to bring. They make milk that human babies can drink straight, which will be important when the Mothers are working hard on a subsistence diet. Salmon. We need omega 3s and yummyness that can be reached without a fishing fleet. Also Oysters would be good, and the whole algae+krill+sardine+Herring food line. Migrating birds. Sea birds especially. They are important fro spreading diversity in the areas we havenā€™t invaded yet. And if thereā€™s room, can we please have lobster? After all, somebody has to clean up the ocean floor. . . ::bats eyes:: ---
**Author:** ![Inigo\_Montoya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inigo_montoya/32/124_2.png) [@Inigo\_Montoya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inigo_Montoya)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2010, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-evacuating-the-planet-for-an-unspoiled-earth-what-animal-species-do-we-take-with-us/561234/56 "2010-11-22T19:54:36Z")
> [@Mangetout](#): > > Smew > [@Mangetout](#): > > Sild Okā€¦What? ---
**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:** [November 22, 2010, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-evacuating-the-planet-for-an-unspoiled-earth-what-animal-species-do-we-take-with-us/561234/57 "2010-11-22T20:02:41Z")
> [@Inigo\_Montoya](#): > > Okā€¦What? A sild is a young herring canned as a sardine in. Smews are ducks. ---
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2010, 2:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-evacuating-the-planet-for-an-unspoiled-earth-what-animal-species-do-we-take-with-us/561234/58 "2010-11-23T02:49:38Z")
Not trusting Skald at all, my minions sneak on board and replace the animal cargo with; Mosquitos, Lice, Wood Ticks, Bot Flies, Vampire Bats and 17 varieties of poisonous snakes. All locked on automatic release as the ship hits orbit. ---
**Author:** ![Rachellelogram](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rachellelogram/32/8689_2.png) [@Rachellelogram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rachellelogram)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2010, 3:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-evacuating-the-planet-for-an-unspoiled-earth-what-animal-species-do-we-take-with-us/561234/59 "2010-11-23T03:20:55Z")
Possibly **Spiders** to eat insects (if there will be insects at the destination). But none of the heinously venomous sorts. \*\*Bees \*\*because if we need to plant stuff (and we will), weā€™ll need bees to do their thing. \*\*Chickens \*\*for eggs and meat; theyā€™re delicious, reproduce quickly, and take up little space. **Guinea pigs** because theyā€™re edible, fattier than rabbits so rabbit starvation wonā€™t be an issue, reproduce quickly, and are very very small for ease of transport. **Cows** for milk and beef. **Birds** because lacking the sound of birdsong would just be weird. **Cats** because I like them. Iā€™m sure Iā€™m forgetting a bunch of other helpful species. Seriously though, no rabbits. Rabbit starvation could be a real risk. ---
**Author:** ![Ranchoth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ranchoth/32/1066_2.png) [@Ranchoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranchoth)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2010, 4:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-evacuating-the-planet-for-an-unspoiled-earth-what-animal-species-do-we-take-with-us/561234/60 "2010-11-23T04:33:46Z")
To rebuild human civilization, weā€™ll need a lot of manpower. With only ten million colonists to bring along, we might not be able to spare enough spaces to fill with unskilled labor, without compromising the selection of specialists with a cross section of necessary skills. I recommend bringing chimpanzeesā€¦as they reach sexual maturity twice as fast as humans, a rigorous program of selective breeding, biological engineering, and savage training should be able to produce a viable slave race within half a century. There is, of course, the chance that they could rebel, creating the terrible Planet of the Apes. But hey, sometimes you have to roll the hard six. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-evacuating-the-planet-for-an-unspoiled-earth-what-animal-species-do-we-take-with-us/561234.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/were-evacuating-the-planet-for-an-unspoiled-earth-what-animal-species-do-we-take-with-us/561234.md?page=4)