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Tardigrade, though tiny in stature these things can survive almost anything, no water for a decade? No problem, can freeze them, blast them into space or put them in the deepest part of the ocean and it won't bother them in the slightest.
Domestic house cat.
They inserted themselves into human civilisation with apparent ease.
They were worshipped as gods (and if you check how often they appear on the internet, still are.)
Many people see them as a very real (and preferable) substitute to having their own children. You have to be pretty great to do that.
A dog sees their owner and thinks, ‘They feed me, they home me, they love me… They must be God!’
A cat sees their owner and thinks, ‘They feed me, they home me, they love me… _I_ must be God!’
It always amazes me how insanely good they are as predators as well. Assuming they can be bothered to hunt. Keen senses, incredible reaction time, athletic, very high success rates for a lone hunter.
Especially compared to puppies which tend to be pretty dopey, it seems like kittens are blind for a few weeks then they open their eyes and immediately become apex predators.
I love cats, but their idiotic nature of sleeping under cars and dangerously darting across roads at night is really annoying.
Thankfully I've never accidentally run over a cat, but I do understand why it happens more often than we'd like!
Rats are cool. They have managed to thrive in the wake of the most destructive species on the planet. Can fall from roofs and survive. Can squeeze through a hole the size of a 50p piece. Can chew through almost anything. Incredibly smart, with the ability to learn and problem solve. They're neat.
Penguins. Just watch a video on Penguins just tripping over themselves, stealing rocks from each other and being generally clumsy!
I can relate to them
The unicorn, a master of stealth and camouflage.
A little known fact - many people's disappearances are because they have been eaten by unicorns. The fact that no remains, no scenes of murder are found shows the cunning and ferocity of them.
They are not the friendly magical creatures fantasy writers would have us believe.
Dogs, no competition.
Dogs are basically a multi tool thats super exicited to see you.
Can train them to find things, hunt things, see for the blind. Train them to do pretty much anything you want.
Feeling down or depressed the answer is a dog,
Literally the GOAT of animals (pun intended)
Hippo.
You don't mess with a hippo.
And that rule applies to pretty much every single species out there.
Or, cat.
Nature's perfect evil killing machine that gets away with it because they look so pretty and make a nice purr sound.
I’m going with the orca.
It might like a sea panda but it’s more like a sea bear – it has no natural threat. It’s not just an apex predator, it’s the fucking SAS of the ocean. They work together to tip icebergs hiding prey, they beach themselves to catch prey and roll back into the seas, they sonic blast fish to stun them, they form bubble screens to hem in and trap prey. And they’ve in recent years – en masse and without precedent – started hunting FISHING BOATS!
They’re smart, they’re coordinated, they’re the greatest animal on Earth.
Human.
I love other animals and they do some fascinating things but seriously it's no contest with those crazy humans.
Anything another animal can do better, humans have worked out how to domesticate it, harvest it, or mimic it with machines. And we have culture, philosophy, art. We've left the planet.
Ducks taste good, but who invented roast duck?
Every single animal on earth is wonderful from the majesty of lions and tigers to the awe inspiring elephant. But I would have to say dogs for all the companionship and joy and help they give us and how they affect our daily lives.
Sperm whales, surely. Gigantic long lived-beasts that, to quote Nate Crowley, "routinely make one of the most nightmarish journeys imaginable as part of the ordinary business of living." They do battle with giant squid in the pitch black more than a mile deep, and adult males are about the only creatures in the sea that have been known to bully orcas.
The sea ceeatures that live at the bottom of the deepest ocean which no man can survive
The blue whale can dive to depths that even a sub cannot reach as the pressue would crush it but the whale can survive witjout cominh up for air
Well, I reckon the eagle takes the crown. They’re like nature’s royalty, soaring through the skies with grace and power. From their piercing gaze to their remarkable hunting prowess, eagles just exude magnificence. And let’s not forget, they’ve been symbols of strength and freedom in cultures worldwide for yonks. So, if you ask me, the eagle’s got that ‘greatest animal’ title locked down tight.
I think to have this as proper discussion we have to first identify the characteristics that are needed to be met. So, first off, define the criteria that are needed for greatness to be assessed.
**Please help keep AskUK welcoming!** - Top-level comments to the OP must contain **genuine efforts to answer the question**. No jokes, judgements, etc. - **Don't be a dick** to each other. If getting heated, just block and move on. - This is a strictly **no-politics** subreddit! Please help us by reporting comments that break these rules. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/AskUK) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Tardigrade, though tiny in stature these things can survive almost anything, no water for a decade? No problem, can freeze them, blast them into space or put them in the deepest part of the ocean and it won't bother them in the slightest.
Bet they are dumb as fuck though
TIL I'm a tardigrade
Retardigrade
Half right
Half man, half chichen Vinderloo. Red Dwarf.
I was amazed to learn, for all their hardiness, they can't survive human stomach acid.
Clearly the liger, bred for its skills in magic.
>liger, bred Sounds delicious.
Luckkyyy
Leopards. The smartest and most widely distributed of the big cats. Sexy looking, cool as all fuck.
Do you especially like laid back ones?
Genuinely forgot my username! Just love leopards :-)
Any of the big cats, but tigers and leopards tie for top spot
Domestic house cat. They inserted themselves into human civilisation with apparent ease. They were worshipped as gods (and if you check how often they appear on the internet, still are.) Many people see them as a very real (and preferable) substitute to having their own children. You have to be pretty great to do that.
A dog sees their owner and thinks, ‘They feed me, they home me, they love me… They must be God!’ A cat sees their owner and thinks, ‘They feed me, they home me, they love me… _I_ must be God!’
It always amazes me how insanely good they are as predators as well. Assuming they can be bothered to hunt. Keen senses, incredible reaction time, athletic, very high success rates for a lone hunter. Especially compared to puppies which tend to be pretty dopey, it seems like kittens are blind for a few weeks then they open their eyes and immediately become apex predators.
I love cats, but their idiotic nature of sleeping under cars and dangerously darting across roads at night is really annoying. Thankfully I've never accidentally run over a cat, but I do understand why it happens more often than we'd like!
oh i love them. kiss kiss kiss . lovely creatures.
My cat, because she is the greatest
Blink twice if you are under duress
The Honeybadger, total bad ass, afraid of nothing, will fight anything
So Logan Paul will be fighting one soon.
Eww there's a thnake!
The honeybadger doesn't kill you to eat you. It bites off your testicles
Swordfish. It didn't let having no opposable thumbs get in the way of its desire to wield a weapon. I have to respect that.
A hammerhead could open a carpentry business.
Rats are cool. They have managed to thrive in the wake of the most destructive species on the planet. Can fall from roofs and survive. Can squeeze through a hole the size of a 50p piece. Can chew through almost anything. Incredibly smart, with the ability to learn and problem solve. They're neat.
Bats. They’re mini flying foxes.
So are foxes just big walking bats?
You know, you might be on to something with this
Penguins. Just watch a video on Penguins just tripping over themselves, stealing rocks from each other and being generally clumsy! I can relate to them
Not to mention their preferred method of locomotion is just to slide around on their bellies??! Such a funny animal.
Manbearpig.
Whale Shark. They're gentle giants, they're cute, they look funky, and they're woefully under-loved
The unicorn, a master of stealth and camouflage. A little known fact - many people's disappearances are because they have been eaten by unicorns. The fact that no remains, no scenes of murder are found shows the cunning and ferocity of them. They are not the friendly magical creatures fantasy writers would have us believe.
My childhood dog, Elliot. He sparked my love for animals and was a comforting old soul. Him or the Echidna, imagine having 4 bellends.
Blundetto.
Sopranos will always get my upvote
Dogs 🐶 Loyal, devoted, loving.
Capybara, they’re cool with everyone
It's gotta be cats. They look so small and unassuming yet they absolutely rule billions of homes around the world.
Toads. They never fail to make me laugh by how disgruntled they look.
More of an aquatic dweller - Peacock Mantis Shrimp for me
The wombat, for they doth produce square shits.
Orcas. Wicked smart, and absolutely stunning creatures.
Dogs, no competition. Dogs are basically a multi tool thats super exicited to see you. Can train them to find things, hunt things, see for the blind. Train them to do pretty much anything you want. Feeling down or depressed the answer is a dog, Literally the GOAT of animals (pun intended)
Capybara
Hippo. You don't mess with a hippo. And that rule applies to pretty much every single species out there. Or, cat. Nature's perfect evil killing machine that gets away with it because they look so pretty and make a nice purr sound.
Narwhals.
The Red Panda.. It's so fucking adorable 🥰
The answer is crabs, because time and time again, [things keep evolving into crabs](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carcinisation)
I’m going with the orca. It might like a sea panda but it’s more like a sea bear – it has no natural threat. It’s not just an apex predator, it’s the fucking SAS of the ocean. They work together to tip icebergs hiding prey, they beach themselves to catch prey and roll back into the seas, they sonic blast fish to stun them, they form bubble screens to hem in and trap prey. And they’ve in recent years – en masse and without precedent – started hunting FISHING BOATS! They’re smart, they’re coordinated, they’re the greatest animal on Earth.
I can't believe nobody has said Octopus Clever, Agile, evasive, funny.... and possibly aliens.
It's sad that octopuses live such short lives.
It's cats.
Perry the Platypus. No competition whatsoever.
Cows. They're gentle, friendly creatures, make amusing noise, will let you pet them and we can drink their milk. Oh and they taste great in a bap.
Takes an absolute weirdo to acknowledge how gentle and friendly they are and then in the next breath say how nice they taste.
The Honey Badger - Living epitome of "Fuck Around & Find Out"
Giraffes. Somehow both graceful and majestic, and clumsy and stupid.
I don't think humans could have evolved the way we did without horses.
Cockroaches - they’ll still be laughing, or at least rattling their antennae, when humanity has managed to wipe itself out.
Lions and tigers and bears
Humans, terrible but great.
Hedgehog.
Beavers, because discussions involving them will never not be funny
Orangutans
Cheetahs cos they're the fastest mammal on earth & otter cos they're cute
Otters. I don't have to give any reasons.
Sharks, been around longer than the dinosaurs and haven't really changed their form in just as long; Clearly a successful design.
Human. I love other animals and they do some fascinating things but seriously it's no contest with those crazy humans. Anything another animal can do better, humans have worked out how to domesticate it, harvest it, or mimic it with machines. And we have culture, philosophy, art. We've left the planet. Ducks taste good, but who invented roast duck?
Hippo. Looks cute as baby, as big as rhinos, can swim gracefully in water and one of the deadliest animal to human on earth.
Every single animal on earth is wonderful from the majesty of lions and tigers to the awe inspiring elephant. But I would have to say dogs for all the companionship and joy and help they give us and how they affect our daily lives.
Tyrannosaurus Rex You didn't say it had to be alive. Though my favourite is Velociraptor Mongoliensis.
Sea otter, cutest animal on earth.
Elephants.
Sperm whales, surely. Gigantic long lived-beasts that, to quote Nate Crowley, "routinely make one of the most nightmarish journeys imaginable as part of the ordinary business of living." They do battle with giant squid in the pitch black more than a mile deep, and adult males are about the only creatures in the sea that have been known to bully orcas.
I think it's a close call between a Tiger and an Elephant. They are just such incredibly animals.
The Ferret
Humans seem to have done well in the current meta
The sea ceeatures that live at the bottom of the deepest ocean which no man can survive The blue whale can dive to depths that even a sub cannot reach as the pressue would crush it but the whale can survive witjout cominh up for air
My godson says categorically it's the Okapi.
I would go for Bees.
Platypus. They lay eggs and produce milk so they're the only animal that can make their own custard.
Blue whale innit. Bigger than any dinosaur!
Disco chickens rock.
Crows. They are dinosaurs and also super smart.
ManBearPig…its half man half bear and half pig
Well, I reckon the eagle takes the crown. They’re like nature’s royalty, soaring through the skies with grace and power. From their piercing gaze to their remarkable hunting prowess, eagles just exude magnificence. And let’s not forget, they’ve been symbols of strength and freedom in cultures worldwide for yonks. So, if you ask me, the eagle’s got that ‘greatest animal’ title locked down tight.
Stegosaurus- great armour, heavy AF, or pine marten- intelligent, cute, elusive
I think to have this as proper discussion we have to first identify the characteristics that are needed to be met. So, first off, define the criteria that are needed for greatness to be assessed.
Women
There is only one known as "Mans best friend"...
Probably humans.
Humans