if a mass extinction will happen again and kill human race like what happened with the dinosaurs, then can there be

Question: if a mass extinction will happen again and kill human race like what happened with the dinosaurs, then can there be another species to evolve that are smart like humans?

Asked by 07quiambaoj to Alastair, Emma, Hywel, Keith, Vicki on 21 Jun 2010 in Categories: General.
- Keith Brain answered on 21 Jun 2010:
  
  Yes – if intelligent life has happened once, then it can happen again, and probably will. We have no idea which species would “ascend” – perhaps the rats (for a mild “catastrophe”)? Perhaps yeast (as yeast are a bit more complex than bacteria)?
  
  However, I think that we have a very good chance of escaping the earth (in a way that can be sustained) before there’s a significant chance of a “natural” mass extinction on earth. The reason for this is that there is a long time between such mass extinction events (compared to the rate of progress in technology), so I don’t think that that will be a problem. More serious, though, is the risk from us killing each other – a serious problem everyone needs to work on!
- Hywel Vaughan answered on 21 Jun 2010:
  
  I think it is very possible quiambao – given enough time. I think it is quite plausible that a new species of intelligent life could evolve on this planet if Humans weren’t in the way! That could happen by us becoming extinct, or even leaving the planet all together. The question would be, what sort of species would evolve? Another ape-like creature, or something else? (Or perhaps I have been watching too much Dr Who at this point)
- Emma Carter answered on 21 Jun 2010:
  
  Well according to the film Planet of the Apes, that would be monkeys, gorillas and orang-utangs but if you’re more of a Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy fan then that would be mice. But outside the realms of science fiction, I don’t think so.
- Alastair Sloan answered on 21 Jun 2010:
  
  Great question. My answer would be – quite probably. It happened before, when the dinosaurs became extinct and the mammals began to thrive, and there is no and as long as the atmosphere is supportive, another species may well become dominant and evolved like we did.
- Vicki Stevenson answered on 21 Jun 2010:
  
  Hi
  I’m certain another species would take advantage of our absence. Whether they would be smart like humans is another question – maybe they’ll be smarter and won’t do so much damage to the environment!

Comments

07jonesa commented on 21 Jun 2010:

emma hitch hikers guide to the galaxy is the best film ever. new and old versions. planet of the apes isnt that bad either.

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Question: if a mass extinction will happen again and kill human race like what happened with the dinosaurs, then can there be another species to evolve that are smart like humans?