# You can bring back one extinct species - what do you choose? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [March 23, 2010, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-can-bring-back-one-extinct-species-what-do-you-choose/533544 "2010-03-23T22:20:23Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Alka\_Seltzer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c89c15/32.png) [@Alka\_Seltzer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alka_Seltzer)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2010, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-can-bring-back-one-extinct-species-what-do-you-choose/533544/41 "2010-03-24T15:52:45Z")
> [@Mangetout](#): > > I’ve heard that Dodo wasn’t particularly tasty, just easy to catch - but not sure what you mean about the other bit. On the other hand, Giant Tortoises are supposed to be really tasty, and not exactly difficult to catch. It’s a miracle any survived. I don’t think I’ve ever eaten pigeon, but it’s on the menu in a lot of expensive restaurants. ---
**Author:** ![blondebear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blondebear/32/1022_2.png) [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2010, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-can-bring-back-one-extinct-species-what-do-you-choose/533544/42 "2010-03-24T16:01:35Z")
My original choice was the [Moa](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moa), so there’d be something cool to see while tramping in New Zealand. But when I pulled up the wiki page for a link, I decided to go with the [Haast’s Eagle](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haast%27s_Eagle)instead. ---
**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:** [March 24, 2010, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-can-bring-back-one-extinct-species-what-do-you-choose/533544/43 "2010-03-24T16:17:57Z")
I think my choice would be Triceratops - and I want a tame one with a howdah (elephant saddle/car) on the back. ---
**Author:** ![Astroboy14](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/df705f/32.png) [@Astroboy14](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Astroboy14)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2010, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-can-bring-back-one-extinct-species-what-do-you-choose/533544/44 "2010-03-24T16:46:19Z")
For me, an [Opabinia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Opabinia). They’re so damn CUTE! ---
**Author:** ![gytalf2000](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ac91a4/32.png) [@gytalf2000](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gytalf2000)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2010, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-can-bring-back-one-extinct-species-what-do-you-choose/533544/45 "2010-03-24T17:55:45Z")
I would choose “Tyrannosaurus Rex” – I know that they have since discovered some theropods that were a bit bigger, but the “King of the Tyrant Lizards” is still my pick! (Of course, any of the large carnivorous dinosaurs would be fascinating to see.) ---
**Author:** ![Surly\_Chick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ec9cab/32.png) [@Surly\_Chick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Surly_Chick)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2010, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-can-bring-back-one-extinct-species-what-do-you-choose/533544/46 "2010-03-24T18:24:37Z")
The [aurochs](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aurochs) - just because I think a giant cow would be cool. ---
**Author:** ![Ogre](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/ecb155/32.png) [@Ogre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ogre)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2010, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-can-bring-back-one-extinct-species-what-do-you-choose/533544/47 "2010-03-24T18:38:52Z")
[The Carolina parakeet](http://www.ivorybill.com/g/carolinaparakeet.htm). It was the only native parrot in the eastern United States, and their large colonies brought lovely, tropical color to our part of the world. They were slaughtered as agricultural pests, and that’s a tragedy. ---
**Author:** ![Algorithm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/algorithm/32/12204_2.png) [@Algorithm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Algorithm)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2010, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-can-bring-back-one-extinct-species-what-do-you-choose/533544/48 "2010-03-24T19:22:55Z")
The [Red Rail](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_Rail), lesser known former member of the ill fated fauna of Mauritius. I’d bring it back because it was apparently quite tasty, and it’s a good example that Mauritius wasn’t all about the dodo. Think about the rails, people! ---
**Author:** ![LilyoftheField](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/13edae/32.png) [@LilyoftheField](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LilyoftheField)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2010, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-can-bring-back-one-extinct-species-what-do-you-choose/533544/49 "2010-03-24T19:42:25Z")
> [@Malleus\_Incus\_Stapes](#): > > The [thylacine](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thylacine). seconded. just 'cuz they’re cool 🆒 ---
**Author:** ![SaxFace](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/13edae/32.png) [@SaxFace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SaxFace)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2010, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-can-bring-back-one-extinct-species-what-do-you-choose/533544/50 "2010-03-24T20:03:00Z")
I would be happy to be a surrogate mother for either a half homo sapiens/Neanderthal baby or a totally genetic Neanderthal baby. In fact, it’s been my secret fantasy for years. ---
**Author:** ![SaxFace](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/13edae/32.png) [@SaxFace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SaxFace)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2010, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-can-bring-back-one-extinct-species-what-do-you-choose/533544/51 "2010-03-24T20:39:08Z")
Whoa - just read this article about a new species, sharing a common ancestor with humans _and_ neanderthals: [http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE62N4VS20100324](http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE62N4VS20100324) ---
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2010, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-can-bring-back-one-extinct-species-what-do-you-choose/533544/52 "2010-03-24T20:39:36Z")
> [@Malleus\_Incus\_Stapes](#): > > The [thylacine](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thylacine). Them or the little Hobbitses. ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2010, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-can-bring-back-one-extinct-species-what-do-you-choose/533544/53 "2010-03-24T20:39:44Z")
> [@AClockworkMelon](#): > > I would bring back the [Aiolornis](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aiolornis)! A giant vulture-looking thing with a wingspan of 18 feet! Pfft…pipsqueak compared to [Argentavis](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Argentavis) (wing span of up to 26 feet). 😛 Here’s a [pic of one](http://www.fmboschetto.it/didattica/Anno_della_Terra/Argentavis.jpg) recreated in a museum next to a human. How about a dragonfly with a [2.5 foot wingspan](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meganeura)? ---
**Author:** ![Morbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/morbo/32/389_2.png) [@Morbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morbo)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2010, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-can-bring-back-one-extinct-species-what-do-you-choose/533544/54 "2010-03-24T21:45:17Z")
You guys are going about this all wrong. I would resurrect a Plesiosaur, then show up with it at the shores of Loch Ness and call a press conference. ---
**Author:** ![Sir\_T-Cups](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ed655f/32.png) [@Sir\_T-Cups](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sir_T-Cups)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2010, 10:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-can-bring-back-one-extinct-species-what-do-you-choose/533544/55 "2010-03-24T22:09:02Z")
> [@Whack-a-Mole](#): > > Pfft…pipsqueak compared to [Argentavis](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Argentavis) (wing span of up to 26 feet). 😛 > > Here’s a [pic of one](http://www.fmboschetto.it/didattica/Anno_della_Terra/Argentavis.jpg) recreated in a museum next to a human. > > How about a dragonfly with a [2.5 foot wingspan](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meganeura)? Did you happen to get those from a well timed article on [Cracked](http://www.cracked.com/article_18445_7-thankfully-extinct-giant-versions-modern-animals.html)? ---
**Author:** ![Alka\_Seltzer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c89c15/32.png) [@Alka\_Seltzer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alka_Seltzer)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2010, 10:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-can-bring-back-one-extinct-species-what-do-you-choose/533544/56 "2010-03-24T22:48:02Z")
Thinking about this some more, I’m finding the “one creature” clause too restrictive. How are we going to answer questions like “How many hobbits do you need to take down a t. rex?”? ---
**Author:** ![Lumpy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lumpy/32/446_2.png) [@Lumpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lumpy)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2010, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-can-bring-back-one-extinct-species-what-do-you-choose/533544/57 "2010-03-24T23:01:19Z")
> [@Alka\_Seltzer](#): > > Thinking about this some more, I’m finding the “one creature” clause too restrictive. How are we going to answer questions like “How many hobbits do you need to take down a t. rex?”? I would guess enough hobbits to leave the t. rex too stuffed to stand up. 😃 > [@SaxFace](#): > > Whoa - just read this article about a new species, sharing a common ancestor with humans _and_ neanderthals: > > [http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE62N4VS20100324](http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE62N4VS20100324) Do they have any Floresiensis DNA to compare it to? One reason they had trouble believing H. Floresiensis could be an unknown species was that there’d been no other evidence of side branches to the Homo lineage. Maybe this could be a Floresiensis ancestor or cousin? ---
**Author:** ![Magicicada](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c67d28/32.png) [@Magicicada](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magicicada)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2010, 2:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-can-bring-back-one-extinct-species-what-do-you-choose/533544/58 "2010-03-25T02:50:44Z")
> [@SaxFace](#): > > I would be happy to be a surrogate mother for either a half homo sapiens/Neanderthal baby or a totally genetic Neanderthal baby. In fact, it’s been my secret fantasy for years. Been reading your Jean Auel? 🙂 (I always wondered about the giant hamsters myself.) ---
**Author:** ![SaxFace](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/13edae/32.png) [@SaxFace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SaxFace)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2010, 5:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-can-bring-back-one-extinct-species-what-do-you-choose/533544/59 "2010-03-25T05:26:31Z")
> [@sweetie pea](#): > > Been reading your Jean Auel? 🙂 (I always wondered about the giant hamsters myself.) Ha ha, no. I tried to read that but never finished because it was so stupid. I did love _The Dance of the Tiger_, though. ---
**Author:** ![SaxFace](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/13edae/32.png) [@SaxFace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SaxFace)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2010, 5:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-can-bring-back-one-extinct-species-what-do-you-choose/533544/60 "2010-03-25T05:31:35Z")
> [@Lumpy](#): > > I would guess enough hobbits to leave the t. rex too stuffed to stand up. 😃 > > Do they have any Floresiensis DNA to compare it to? One reason they had trouble believing H. Floresiensis could be an unknown species was that there’d been no other evidence of side branches to the Homo lineage. Maybe this could be a Floresiensis ancestor or cousin? In the article they say that no, they don’t have any Floresiensis DNA because the hot, humid conditions in Indonesia don’t preserve DNA. That really sucks! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-can-bring-back-one-extinct-species-what-do-you-choose/533544.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-can-bring-back-one-extinct-species-what-do-you-choose/533544.md?page=4)