We are part of the 'animal' family, aren't we?

[bornriding]

I did not want to intrude on other posts, so I thought I'd start a new one...

I've always felt that we, humans, are still a part of the ANIMAL group.
Thats why there are similarities amoung all animals.
IE- 2 eyes, 2 ears, a nose, 4 appendages ( arms / legs ), fingers/toes, hair, etc
We, as humans, are only distinguished by our large brain area and that we use only two appendages for walking.
I always look at the entire animal world to explain how, we humans, act in a given situation.
We are conivores - just like the lions, tigers & bears...... oh, my..., whose entire premise is that the strong shall prevail..... just like us.

Would like to hear yur opinions..

Richard

[renaissanse man]

I've thought to myself the same thing many times, usually when I hear of a news story where human suffering is chosen by the powers that be over "endangering" some albaian three toothed owl or something. We are part of nature too. When the animals learn to talk and make up reality shows, I'll step aside and let them have their day. :p

[k-fridge]

My wife says I'm an animal...but that's a whole different story.:D

[chillbilly]

I did not want to intrude on other posts, so I thought I'd start a new one...
I've always felt that we, humans, are still a part of the ANIMAL group.
Thats why there are similarities amoung all animals.
IE- 2 eyes, 2 ears, a nose, 4 appendages ( arms / legs ), fingers/toes, hair, etc
We, as humans, are only distinguished by our large brain area and that we use only two appendages for walking.
Humans are animals, but there is one huge difference....
What about the dissimilarities in our ability to reason when compared with other animals?
Humans have an innate ability to reason that is coupled with their will to live.
Explaining the differences in thought processes (and not just as a physiological difference) distinguishes humans from other animals in a very unique way.


I always look at the entire animal world to explain how, we humans, act in a given situation.
Human actions can't really be compared to the instinctive ways of animals whose will requires that they eat, sleep, hunt, flee and protect, based on instinct alone.
As far as modern science can see, other animals do not posess the reasoning ability on a scale anywhere close to humans.


We are conivores - just like the lions, tigers & bears...... oh, my..., whose entire premise is that the strong shall prevail..... just like us.
Humans who have dietary options make a conscious choice to eat meat. Many other animals instinctively do not eat meat either. And then, there are animals that eat meat as a main source of their survival and nutition.
Then, there are us religious nuts who even believe that there's a possibility that original sin made carnivores out of many animals:D

[RoBoTeq]

Yes we are animals.

We are actually omnivours, not carnivours. Bears are omnivours. Interestingly, most apes are herbivours.

It is the spiritual nature of man that seperates us from the other animals. That is why what we achieve as animals is not as relevant as to how we prepare ourselves for our spiritual eternity, for those of us who are so inclined to believe such silly notions.

[Sam-the-man]

our ability to melt cheese on top of things is what seperates us from the animals. Dodo birds, sabre-toothed tigers, carrier pigeons and disco are all extinct because they're inferior. We're winning. Watch out spotted owl, you're next!

[bornriding]

What about the dissimilarities in our ability to reason when compared with other animals?
Humans have an innate ability to reason that is coupled with their will to live.
Explaining the differences in thought processes (and not just as a physiological difference) distinguishes humans from other animals in a very unique way.


Our mental abilities are the ONLY thing that seperates us from the rest of 'natures' animals



Human actions can't really be compared to the instinctive ways of animals whose will requires that they eat, sleep, hunt, flee and protect, based on instinct alone.
As far as modern science can see, other animals do not posess the reasoning ability on a scale anywhere close to humans.


But aren't these still OUR basic instincts as well, even with our ability to reason. We must sleep, we must eat, we hunt ( for food, clothes, jobs, etc ), & the weak immediately flee when endangered, and our instinct to 'protect' is very strong ( at least in men, anyway )



Humans who have dietary options make a conscious choice to eat meat. Many other animals instinctively do not eat meat either. And then, there are animals that eat meat as a main source of their survival and nutition.
Then, there are us religious nuts who even believe that there's a possibility that original sin made carnivores out of many animals


This I slightly disagree with... I believe that instinct is what makes us eat meat ( as we have for centuries ), but some peoples mental 'choice' is to not eat meat.
How does eating an apple make us carnivores???:)

Richard

[chillbilly]

Our mental abilities are the ONLY thing that seperates us from the rest of 'natures' animals
Yes, but it's a very big distinction, don't you think?






But aren't these still OUR basic instincts as well, even with our ability to reason. We must sleep, we must eat, we hunt ( for food, clothes, jobs, etc ), & the weak immediately flee when endangered, and our instinct to 'protect' is very strong ( at least in men, anyway )
Yes, I guess they could be considered instincts. We do have the ability to modify any of those things and our reason can basically get us killed if we decide to stop eating, sleeping or if we reason that we will attack the attacker instead of fleeing.:D
I guess the point I'm trying to make is that our large spectrum of reasonable choices separates us quite a bit from other animals.






This I slightly disagree with... I believe that instinct is what makes us eat meat ( as we have for centuries ), but some peoples mental 'choice' is to not eat meat.
How does eating an apple make us carnivores???:)

Richard

LOL But see, instinct does not really make us eat the meat, does it?
It may entice us to want to eat the meat, but we make a conscious choice to opt for the veggie pita instead....................NOT:D :D :D

[obxdist]

our ability to melt cheese on top of things is what seperates us from the animals. Dodo birds, sabre-toothed tigers, carrier pigeons and disco are all extinct because they're inferior. We're winning. Watch out spotted owl, you're next!

Bust a Cap!!!! I"m Hungry.

[bornriding]

Has anyone ever considered the number of fingers & toes ( humans ), and the number of toes on 'paws' as being an indication of intelligence??
Seems some animals have only 3 'toes', while others have four ( dogs, cats, etc ), while even others have 5 ( apes, monkeys, & Humans ).
It does seem, to me, that this reflects intelligence. It would seem that the more an animal has, per appendage, the more intelligent the animal is.

What do ya'll think

Richard

[chillbilly]

Has anyone ever considered the number of fingers & toes ( humans ), and the number of toes on 'paws' as being an indication of intelligence??
Seems some animals have only 3 'toes', while others have four ( dogs, cats, etc ), while even others have 5 ( apes, monkeys, & Humans ).
It does seem, to me, that this reflects intelligence. It would seem that the more an animal has, per appendage, the more intelligent the animal is.

What do ya'll think

Richard


Ummmmm, NO. It simply gives them the tools they need and have acquired through the process of micro-evolution, small scale changes of adaptation through natural selection.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microevolution

[sysint]

Has anyone ever considered the number of fingers & toes ( humans ), and the number of toes on 'paws' as being an indication of intelligence??
Seems some animals have only 3 'toes', while others have four ( dogs, cats, etc ), while even others have 5 ( apes, monkeys, & Humans ).
It does seem, to me, that this reflects intelligence. It would seem that the more an animal has, per appendage, the more intelligent the animal is.

What do ya'll think

RichardDolphin

[oloenneker]

When the animals learn to talk and make up reality shows, I'll step aside and let them have their day. :p

What if that animal could easily kill you?

[oloenneker]

Has anyone ever considered the number of fingers & toes ( humans ), and the number of toes on 'paws' as being an indication of intelligence??
Seems some animals have only 3 'toes', while others have four ( dogs, cats, etc ), while even others have 5 ( apes, monkeys, & Humans ).
It does seem, to me, that this reflects intelligence. It would seem that the more an animal has, per appendage, the more intelligent the animal is.

What do ya'll think

Richard

Actually all mammals have five "toes/fingers" In some species they have evolved into non-functionoing appendages. For instance, look closely at your dogs hind leg, you will see his "thumb/big toe"... They evolved into not using that peice because in reality they walk on their tippy toes. This is usually on par with all four legged mammals. Even whales and dolphins have these "fingers/toes" they are just covered with skin to form a "fin". and it's number is always five. Interesting, huh?

[chillbilly]

Actually all mammals have five "toes/fingers" In some species they have evolved into non-functionoing appendages. For instance, look closely at your dogs hind leg, you will see his "thumb/big toe"... They evolved into not using that peice because in reality they walk on their tippy toes. This is usually on par with all four legged mammals. Even whales and dolphins have these "fingers/toes" they are just covered with skin to form a "fin". and it's number is always five. Interesting, huh?


Cats have four on their hind paw. The evidence shows that they have four as an aid to hunt. No evidence that there ever was a non-functioning appendage and no remnants of an extra pad either. There are other examples as well.

Poof!

http://www.bear-tracker.com/domcat.html

[Sam-the-man]

Cats have four on their hind paw. The evidence shows that they have four as an aid to hunt. No evidence that there ever was a non-functioning appendage and no remnants of an extra pad either. There are other examples as well.

Poof!

http://www.bear-tracker.com/domcat.html

excerpt from above referenced article:

"Domestic cats have a fifth toe, with a claw, located higher up the "wrist," which does not usually leave am imprint in the tracks. This claw is called the "killer claw" and is sometimes used in hunting. There is also a sixth pad located even higher up the "wrist" that lacks a claw. Very rarely will you find either of these imprints in the tracks. If you do find them, it is usually because the animal is running. Take a look at the photo below of Junior's foot and you will see both of these structures. (Check the Bobcat page to see a photo of a bobcat track showing these features.) I don't know what function the sixth toe has, other than just being there. The fifth is used to help grip prey. Since cats lack an opposable thumb, it could possibly serve a similar purpose to them. If you do find these imprints in a track, look for other clues as to what the animal was doing. Sometimes you will find them where cats have been playing in damp sand, or running in mud.
There is also another phenomenon which could account for a cat track showing more than four toes. This is called polydactilism. Occasionally, a cat is born with five or six toes on all its feet, plus the "killer claw" and extra pad on the "wrist." This growth of extra toes happens frequently in populations of feral cats, and is also something that cats are bred for. Apparently, it doesn't affect their ability to survive. I once owned a six-toed cat. I now wish I had taken photos of its tracks!"


not surprised.
Un-poof!

[oloenneker]

excerpt from above referenced article:

"Domestic cats have a fifth toe,<snip>


not surprised.
Un-poof!

Thats usually the case when chill gets a hair, and does not read his own sources...

I read that as well, and was just going to let it slide on by...

It makes Chill feel like he has, well, POOFed someone.

[corny]

I bet if you got between james and a bowl of soup beans you would see an animal.....

[braces4impact]

excerpt from above referenced article:

"Domestic cats have a fifth toe, with a claw, located higher up the "wrist," which does not usually leave am imprint in the tracks. This claw is called the "killer claw" and is sometimes used in hunting. There is also a sixth pad located even higher up the "wrist" that lacks a claw. Very rarely will you find either of these imprints in the tracks. If you do find them, it is usually because the animal is running. Take a look at the photo below of Junior's foot and you will see both of these structures. (Check the Bobcat page to see a photo of a bobcat track showing these features.) I don't know what function the sixth toe has, other than just being there. The fifth is used to help grip prey. Since cats lack an opposable thumb, it could possibly serve a similar purpose to them. If you do find these imprints in a track, look for other clues as to what the animal was doing. Sometimes you will find them where cats have been playing in damp sand, or running in mud.
There is also another phenomenon which could account for a cat track showing more than four toes. This is called polydactilism. Occasionally, a cat is born with five or six toes on all its feet, plus the "killer claw" and extra pad on the "wrist." This growth of extra toes happens frequently in populations of feral cats, and is also something that cats are bred for. Apparently, it doesn't affect their ability to survive. I once owned a six-toed cat. I now wish I had taken photos of its tracks!"


not surprised.
Un-poof!


HA HA HA!!! What a doofus! Good one Sam The man!

[chillbilly]

Doggie Toes

"What is that thing hanging off the back of your dog's lower leg? It's his "dewclaw," and it's entirely useless. On some dogs it's so much in the way that it's surgically removed. It's not a result of selective breeding, either. Cats have 'em, wolves have 'em, tigers have 'em. What would it possibly be except a now-useless fifth toe, in the process of disappearing through evolution"?
Notice the observation is posed as a question and NOT an answer. Duh

4 toes in the rear. Other examples as well.
No scientific evidence asserts or even attempts to assert that all mammals have 5 toes.
http://www.straightdope.com/mailbag/m5digit.html




Poof

[chillbilly]

756

Domestic Siberian Cat rear foot........... as some of you can clearly see, there are no dew claws, no climbing toes/claws and NO fifth digit, pad or anything else.
Simply four toes to maximize speed, agility and fighting.
Cats are renowned for using their hind paws to take out their opponents nuts...kinda' like what's happened to you on this thread.

Count'em for me braces, sambo and ole.
One, two threeeeee, fourrrr.
Why would you shrews protest so vehemently about all mammals not having 5 digits??





Poof


;)

[chillbilly]

Thats usually the case when chill gets a hair, and does not read his own sources...

I read that as well, and was just going to let it slide on by...

It makes Chill feel like he has, well, POOFed someone.


Yeah, right. You make an absurd post again with no research or factual basis to make a claim you obviously heard as a bedtime story, and you end up getting your ass handed to you again.

[chillbilly]

HA HA HA!!! What a doofus! Good one Sam The man!



It's the blind leading the blind....I am amazed how they stumble.....
Homeward through the haze.

Doofus indeed.

:D :D :D

[chillbilly]

And another.......http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Four-toed_Hedgehog

And another........http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Artiodactyla.html

All mammalia class....

LOL


Wanna' see some more?

[oloenneker]

No.



POOF!

You seem to get pretty wound up over nothing, guy. Get a life. Get outside or something.

[renaissanse man]

What if that animal could easily kill you?That'll never happen, silly. I was being sarcastic. Many animals can easily kill me, if I was butt nek-ed in the woods, but as evolution would have it, I have in my possession firearms that would make quick work out of slaying any such threat.:)