2.3 Million Years Hence
Stop one – 2.3 Million Years Hence. Latest Anthropocene
The earth is recovering from the ravages of man. Species that were resilient and coexisted successfully alongside humans, have survived and prospered into new forms, many replacing the bygone fauna of the Holocene.
The climate is slightly hotter and drier than today, though the sea levels are higher, this is all baggage from the climate change caused by humans. Continents are in roughly the same positions, but many very low areas remain under 6 or more feet of water.
Some domestic animals that required man’s constant care have gone extinct alongside us, cows, sheep and domestic dogs have all died out. Some others, like housecats and feral pigs have prospered, either due to being relatively unmodified, or in some cases through having been bred for higher fecundity. Animals that held on and thrived alongside man have prospered too, the descendants of rats, opossums, stoats, gulls, hares, ravens and cape hyrax, have all started to give rise to new creatures.
As yet these changes are small, and many animals are still recognisable, a pig is a pig, a cat is a cat, a rat is a rat. One notable difference is size; many herbivores are between five and ten times larger than their ancestors. Wild pigs are vegetarians the size of Indian rhinos, hyraxes are as large as Berkshire sows, ravens and chickens have taken to the ground. The absence of top-predators and the influx of large prey has allowed the carnivores to get bigger too, feral cats are commonly as large as sheepdogs, stoats are as large as wolverines, and everywhere there are corgi-sized rats that will eat almost anything.
As the last vestiges of mankind’s past sins are degraded by geology, weather and entropy, the earth is reaching a new equilibrium.
The earth is recovering from the ravages of man. Species that were resilient and coexisted successfully alongside humans, have survived and prospered into new forms, many replacing the bygone fauna of the Holocene.
The climate is slightly hotter and drier than today, though the sea levels are higher, this is all baggage from the climate change caused by humans. Continents are in roughly the same positions, but many very low areas remain under 6 or more feet of water.
Some domestic animals that required man’s constant care have gone extinct alongside us, cows, sheep and domestic dogs have all died out. Some others, like housecats and feral pigs have prospered, either due to being relatively unmodified, or in some cases through having been bred for higher fecundity. Animals that held on and thrived alongside man have prospered too, the descendants of rats, opossums, stoats, gulls, hares, ravens and cape hyrax, have all started to give rise to new creatures.
As yet these changes are small, and many animals are still recognisable, a pig is a pig, a cat is a cat, a rat is a rat. One notable difference is size; many herbivores are between five and ten times larger than their ancestors. Wild pigs are vegetarians the size of Indian rhinos, hyraxes are as large as Berkshire sows, ravens and chickens have taken to the ground. The absence of top-predators and the influx of large prey has allowed the carnivores to get bigger too, feral cats are commonly as large as sheepdogs, stoats are as large as wolverines, and everywhere there are corgi-sized rats that will eat almost anything.
As the last vestiges of mankind’s past sins are degraded by geology, weather and entropy, the earth is reaching a new equilibrium.
Fauna
Crag Gecko – (Geogekko rapax)
Ancestor: Moorish Gecko (Tarentola mauritanica)
This lizard is very large for a gecko, at 30 centimetres long. It is an active predator among the rocky outcrops and low scrubby olive forests of the Mediterranean, which is still amenable for reptiles, as it was in the age of man. It feeds mainly on rodents, small birds and large insects such as moths.
Ancestor: Moorish Gecko (Tarentola mauritanica)
This lizard is very large for a gecko, at 30 centimetres long. It is an active predator among the rocky outcrops and low scrubby olive forests of the Mediterranean, which is still amenable for reptiles, as it was in the age of man. It feeds mainly on rodents, small birds and large insects such as moths.
Turken (Macrogallus gravis)
Ancestor: Chicken (Gallus gallus domesticus)
The turken is one successful descendant of a domesticated animal that has prospered in the future. Now similar in size to a large wild turkey, it retains its ability to fly, but less so than its ancestor. As with its ancestor, it feeds mainly on soft plant matter and small animals, as well as seeds and berries. Found throughout Europe and the Middle East, with a related species in mainland Asia. It has retained the fecundity of its domestic ancestor, which is part of why it is so successful.
Ancestor: Chicken (Gallus gallus domesticus)
The turken is one successful descendant of a domesticated animal that has prospered in the future. Now similar in size to a large wild turkey, it retains its ability to fly, but less so than its ancestor. As with its ancestor, it feeds mainly on soft plant matter and small animals, as well as seeds and berries. Found throughout Europe and the Middle East, with a related species in mainland Asia. It has retained the fecundity of its domestic ancestor, which is part of why it is so successful.
Great Boar (Megalosus giganteus)
Ancestor: Domestic Pig (Sus scrofa domestica)
By far the largest beast of this time is the great boar, weighing in at more than a ton, similar in weight to a large bull or small rhinoceros. This descendant of feral pigs tends towards a more herbivorous diet than its ancestor, and is one of the dominant herbivores across Eurasia and northern Africa. Litters of piglets are smaller than in its domestic ancestor, and young are better developed.
Ancestor: Domestic Pig (Sus scrofa domestica)
By far the largest beast of this time is the great boar, weighing in at more than a ton, similar in weight to a large bull or small rhinoceros. This descendant of feral pigs tends towards a more herbivorous diet than its ancestor, and is one of the dominant herbivores across Eurasia and northern Africa. Litters of piglets are smaller than in its domestic ancestor, and young are better developed.
King Rat (Regiomys futuris)
Ancestor: Brown Rat (Rattus norvegicus)
As many had supposed, the humble rat did indeed inherit the earth. At 90 centimetres long minus the tail, and up to 18 kilograms, this descendant is hardy, robust and able to reproduce just as quickly as its ancestor. Being found in almost any terrestrial habitat throughout Eurasia and Africa, it feeds on almost anything, though it is slightly more inclined towards plants than today’s rat.
Ancestor: Brown Rat (Rattus norvegicus)
As many had supposed, the humble rat did indeed inherit the earth. At 90 centimetres long minus the tail, and up to 18 kilograms, this descendant is hardy, robust and able to reproduce just as quickly as its ancestor. Being found in almost any terrestrial habitat throughout Eurasia and Africa, it feeds on almost anything, though it is slightly more inclined towards plants than today’s rat.
Giant Hyrax (Afrothera caproides)
Ancestor: Cape Hyrax (Procavia capensis)
The vast scrubby plains of future Africa are denuded of their great ungulate fauna, few if any antelopes remain, and no elephants or rhinos have been seen since the age of man. But this new savannah is home to the giant hyrax, which grows as large as 200 kilograms. Being hardy mixed feeders, and very surefooted, they are ubiquitous throughout sub-Saharan Africa, not only on the plains but in the uplands and mountainsides too.
Ancestor: Cape Hyrax (Procavia capensis)
The vast scrubby plains of future Africa are denuded of their great ungulate fauna, few if any antelopes remain, and no elephants or rhinos have been seen since the age of man. But this new savannah is home to the giant hyrax, which grows as large as 200 kilograms. Being hardy mixed feeders, and very surefooted, they are ubiquitous throughout sub-Saharan Africa, not only on the plains but in the uplands and mountainsides too.
Great Opossum (Didelphops quasiursus)
Ancestor: Virginia Opossum (Didelphis virginiana)
Omnivores always do well during times of ecological upheaval, and as such the humble opossum has evolved into a pugnaicious forager of some 50 kilograms. Acting in many ways like a small bear, it is able to hunt medium and small-sized prey, as well as consuming all manner of berries, nuts and soft foliage. It is found throughout North America and into what was once Mexico.
Ancestor: Virginia Opossum (Didelphis virginiana)
Omnivores always do well during times of ecological upheaval, and as such the humble opossum has evolved into a pugnaicious forager of some 50 kilograms. Acting in many ways like a small bear, it is able to hunt medium and small-sized prey, as well as consuming all manner of berries, nuts and soft foliage. It is found throughout North America and into what was once Mexico.