If humans suddenly vanished from the planet, many might assume primates or mammals would take our place. However, experts believe the Earth’s next dominant species would come from the ocean.
According to a leading zoologist, the next civilization builders would be the octopuses.
The Rise of the Octopus
Zoology professor Tim Coulson, from the University of Oxford, revealed this theory to the Daily Mail. He explained that marine invertebrates have the necessary physical and mental attributes to evolve into a globally dominant species.
Professor Coulson suggests that the octopus has “dexterity, curiosity, ability to communicate with each other, and supreme intelligence”.
These traits would allow them to build complex tools. This capability could lead to the development of an underwater civilisation.
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The octopus is unlikely to live full-time on land. Even so, the expert stated they would be intelligent enough to spend time outside of the water. This would help them develop new hunting methods.
“If humans were to become extinct, the Earth would probably see the dominance of a species with great adaptive capacity.”
Octopus Stamina
The octopus is capable of breathing out of water for up to 30 minutes. Over millions of years, this species has reportedly developed its own hunting techniques on land. This is similar to how humans hunt in the sea.
A Highly Skilled Competitor
The professor pointed out that the octopus has an advanced neural structure. They also possess a decentralized nervous system.
Crucially, they have an incredible ability to solve problems. This makes them highly adaptable to an unpredictable world.
Professor Coulson believes octopuses are an underestimated competitor in a world that is currently dominated by mammals.
Their superior ability to adapt to ever-changing environments positions them as a model for the planet's next intelligent species. This detail was reported by the Daily Mail of the UK.
Why Other Candidates Fail
When considering other candidates for planetary dominance, primates seem unlikely to succeed. The zoologist explained that primates would face similar environmental challenges to humans.
These challenges would probably lead to their eventual extinction as well.
Another possibility, reported by the BBC, focuses purely on numbers. Kate Jones, an ecologist at University College London, said that if dominance is measured numerically, microbes would be the big winners.
This is due to their sheer quantity. Microbes also inhabit every environment on Earth. This ranges from both poles to the bottom of the sea.
However, these tiny beings lack intelligence or skill. This means they would not have the capability to dominate the Earth in the way humans do.
The Need for Adaptability
While no one can say for certain what evolution will deliver, scientists agree on one requirement. The species that replaces humanity must be highly skilled.
This characteristic defines both humans and octopuses. Ecologist Kate Jones suggests the successor must be highly adaptable.
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"I think it will be a species that can adapt to new conditions, for example, something that can eat plastic,” she told the BBC.
If human extinction occurs due to war or climate change, high skill and adaptability will be essential for the next species to thrive.
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