What Are Your Top Ten Favorite Animals, and Why? (Besides other humans)

[TempusVox]

So as not to split hairs and get into what defines an animnal, there are 6 main classes of animals in this world: mammals, birds, fishes, reptiles, amphibians,and invertebrates...so, this be what I'm talkin' about.

in no particular order I'd go with the following:

Ants -highly structured, awesome creatures
Bees/Wasps -Same reason
Spiders- I LOVE spiders. Fascinating creatures.
Assassin Bugs- Highly evolved (intelligent? Can you really measure insect intelligence?) assassins; these guys are bad assed!
Dogs- I dont like every breed, but canids overall are awesome. Especially wolves.
Bats- Again, not too species specific here, just think they are awesome. (Very important for us too).
Frogs- Awesome "indicator" animals. The whole tadpole to frog change is bad ass.
Birds- The last true connection to dinosaurs. My favorites are owls, and most other raptors, and Ravens and Crows. Both ravens and crows are some of the most intelligent creatures on the planet and we're only now beginning to learn just how smart they actually might be. Some research has shown they are PROBABLY as smart as a 3-5 year old human child, and other research IS showing they may be even smarter than that. I know birds are actually an entire class of animal, but I love birds. I'm an avid birder, and have 391 birds presently on my life list.  Yes, TempusVox has a life list. Sue me. 
Duckbill Platypus- These guys don't know what he hell they really want to be. Awesome creatures to me. Proof that nature can come up with some crazy stuff.
Bears- Bears rock. Especially JP. 

[Ħ]

Dogs and sea lions and orangutans

[Dark Castle]

1.  Otters, they are amazing creatures
2.  Owls, also amazing creatures.
3.  Bears
4.  Whales
5.  Buffalos
6.  Sea Lions
7.  Sharks
8.  Peacock Spider
9.  Weasels
10.  Eagles

[TheSilentHam]

10. Pigs - Smarter than you would think, yet they don't have sweat glands
09. Dogs - Not always smart, but loyal
08. Squirrels - Love watching them outsmart my loyal dog
07. Octopus - Smart, yet invertebrate.  Can mimic other sea life...wow. Loaned name to a great Bond movie.
06. Chimps - Just so smart
05. Elephants (African), Cool Looking, big, and smart
04. Sharks - Not so smart, but all Metal 
03. Dolphin - C'mon dolphin are just great
02. Orcas - Inspire me to free my willy
01. Liger - It's pretty much my favorite animal. It's like a lion and a tiger mixed... bred for its skills in magic.
 

[ZBomber]

cats
cats
cats
cats
CATS
CATS
CATS
CATS!
CATS!!
CATS!!!

[Dr. DTVT]

Greyhounds - My greyhound was pretty much the greatest thing in my life.  I miss him everyday.  Just mellow, sweet creatures who love every living thing.
Eagles/falcons/hawks - they are some of the most beautiful, graceful animals.  I love just watching them glide effortlessly across the sky.
Lemurs - Very interesting, unique animals.  If you ever are near Duke University, you should try to visit their Lemur preserve.
Pigs - so tasty....
Spiders - love the way they eat other pests.  A spider is a welcome guest in my house.
Bees - Super important to other living things.  Look at all the panic caused by Colony Collapse Syndrome.  Also, honey.
Bears - just fascinating creatures, from brown to polar.
Baboons - All the primate species are interesting, I just picked one to represent them all.
Herons - Another beautiful bird.  We have one that lives at VT, and I love just observing it.
Whales - I'd love to see one crash into the water in person like the insurance commercial.

[lonestar]

cats
cats
cats
cats
CATS
CATS
CATS
CATS!
CATS!!
CATS!!!

fail
fail
fail
fail
FAIL
FAIL
FAIL
FAIL!
FAIL!!
FAIL!!!


Sorry man, couldn't resist.

[Sigz]

1. Kitties!
2. Sloths!
3. Alpacas!
4. Capybaras!
5. Pigeons!
6. Tiny, pudgy birds!
7. Penguins!
8. Hedgehogs!
9. Llamas!
10. Cuttlefish!

[lonestar]

OK, here's my list....
10-Moray eels-  Goddamn scary looking fuckers.
9-Praying Mantis- Such a unique and elegantly deadly design.
8-Raptor birds-  They define grace more than any other creature.
7-Otters- C'mon, so damn cute.
6- Duck billed platypus- Mammal, lays eggs, ducks bill, and highly poisonous.  Oh. Hell. Yeah.
5- Great white sharks- The ultimate ocean predator.
4- Bears- Just too cool in every way
3- Any of the great apes for obvious reasons
2- Dogs- duh?
1- Elephants- When I was a kid, I read a National Geographic article about an elephants funeral.  It sparked a kindred spirit in me that has never died.  Amazing, intelligent creatures.  So incredibly graceful and beautiful.  The only creature on earth with a brain to body mass similar to humans.  A complex language and even more complex familial structures.  The only animal I truly wish humans had never met.  I almost cry each time I look one in the eye in the zoo.

[obscure]

Dogs
Pigs (Three Different Ones)
Sheep

 

[djentlemen]

ITT : regular dream theater fan topic

[bout to crash]

[Perpetual Change]

1.) Moose- have always been kinda obsessed with them since my grandparents took me to Canada and we were spotting them.

2.) Bears- another animal I love. Feirce, but cuddly, and like to do absolutely nothing during the winter months.

[Edan the Man]

I dunno about a top 10, but I definitely want to mention the greatest predators living today, motherfuckin' sharks.

https://youtu.be/zZVbSYRC9P0
I was seriously awe-struck the first time I saw the videos of Great Whites jumping out of the ocean grabbing seals. Over 2 tons of badassery, 20 feet long, launching itself several feet in the air at 40 miles per hour... just

[lonestar]

I dunno about a top 10, but I definitely want to mention the greatest predators living today, motherfuckin' sharks.

https://youtu.be/zZVbSYRC9P0
I was seriously awe-struck the first time I saw the videos of Great Whites jumping out of the ocean grabbing seals. Over 2 tons of badassery, 20 feet long, launching itself several feet in the air at 40 miles per hour... just

Not that the video wasn't bad ass enough, they had to put it over the top by having Patrick Stewart narrate it.

[TempusVox]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=Ji_x8RU4zIo

Just to think that when it's coming in like that, it's completely silent. (FACT: Owls were the inspiration for the relative quietness of the Black Hawk helicopter). The leading edge feathers on an owls wings are designed so that NO sound is made when it flaps it's wings through air or is in flight. Amazing stealthy death from above! HOOAH! 

[JayOctavarium]

Penguins!

 
 
 

[EPICVIEW]

1) Advarks
2) Eels
3) Octopus
4) Kittens
5) Vipers
6) Dogs
7) Wolvorines
8) Mackerals
9) Slothes
10) Wombats

[gmillerdrake]

1. Snakes. First off, they quietly move about and stalk without legs. How cool is that? And the miriad of color and the patterns nature has bestowed upon these wonderful creatures is both beautiful and remarkable. How each species is crafted to mimic and blend in to its environment is a nice piece of work by the natural world.
2. Alligators (and/or Crocidiles). Quite simply the perfect animal. There is a reason it has not changed or evolved in multiple millions of years. Strength and stealth mixed in with sheer durability and power. An awesome Creature.
3. Birds of Prey. Any raptor will do. Thier cunning and intelligence is awesome, thier eyesight and soaring abilities are enviable. True survivors and throughout history have inspired any culture who has lived in thier habibitat.
4. Large Cats. i.e. -Lions, Tigers, Jaguars, Cheetah etc. The remarkable strength and dexterity it takes to survive in thier environments is unreal, their cunning and hunting abilities and intelligence. Their social structures are interesting from the Lions pride to the independence of say a Leopard or Mountain Lion.
5. Ants. As has been mentioned their 'focus' and determination to survive and play thier role will undoubtedly assure them that they will outlast mankind. As simple as their bodies and minds are they execute a highly evolved and structured society to the tee.
6. Sharks. Like the Alligator, these beasts have essentially made it to the end of their evolution and now just refine thier survival. Grace and power all wrapped into one.
7. Dolphins. Graceful, intelligent, compassionate, caring....these beautiful creatures time and time again share and demonstrate qualities and deeds thought only to reside in humans. Being that our planet is 80% water, I'm pretty sure they are the intelligence that this planet intended
8. Primates. Genuine creatures who like Dolphins demonstrate human emotion and characteristics showing mankind that we aren't the only 
9. Whales. There sheer size and beauty and everything I said about Dolphins
10. Dogs. Thier companionship and loyaltly has been a great resource and much needed relationship for mankind. Overal just wonderful animals

[zxlkho]

Cats easily

[obscure]

inb4 Violet posts about her snakes.

[Durg]

1.  Dogs - I've had dogs all my life.  Here's my dog Tips.


2.  Razorbacks - Do I need to explain why?


3.  Black Mamba - Scariest animal on the planet.


4.  Bald Eagle - USA! USA! USA!


5.  Emperor Penguin - Awwwww.  So sweeet


6.  Preying Mantis - Coolest insect on the planet.


7.  Polar Bear - Beautiful and powerful


8.  Platypus - What a weird animal


9.  Chimpanzee - Great in movies


10.  Catfish - Especially fried!

[obscure]

 

[lonestar]

inb4 Violet posts about her snakes.

I know, what the hell Violet, what's taking her so long.  I want a pic of each of the little cuties, along with descriptions covering the finer aspects of each of the little future mouse killer's quirky personalities.

[obscure]

she actually posted the pics of each one of them... let me find the link for you 

[lonestar]

she actually posted the pics of each one of them... let me find the link for you 

I remember now, twas in the pic thread.  Cute little guys.

[obscure]

oh ok.... found it anyway....
for those who haven't seen the cuties....

https://www.dreamtheaterforums.org/boards/index.php?topic=26766.35

[MasterShakezula]

-My golden retriever
-My golden retriever when he's not out of control.
-My golden retriever when he's asleep (may be synonymous with the above entry)
-Cats (which I like more than dogs)
-Penguins
-Lizards, the least threatening reptiles
-Pigs, who are among the most intelligent non-primates
-Dubya
-Racoons; last year, my family started feeding a raccoon, and ever since, he's been visiting us on a near-nightly basis.
-Drummers

Not percussionists, though; they are humans, believe it or not.

[AcidLameLTE]

1.  Dogs - I've had dogs all my life.  Here's my dog Tips.

Well, are you going to share them or what?

[Durg]

1.  Dogs - I've had dogs all my life.  Here's my dog Tips.

Well, are you going to share them or what?

LOL.  That's his name.  Tips.   

[MasterShakezula]

Does he have a habit of getting Tip-sy?

[FlyingBIZKIT]

1. Handbanana
2. Dogs
3. Cats
4. John Petrucci (bear mode)
5. Penguins
6. Sloths
7. Giant Squid (Scary as Hell)
8. Sly Cooper
9. Horses
10. Sharks

[mrjazzguitar]

opossums, monkeys, anteaters, weasels, sloths, penguins, and ostriches are all pretty cool

[Durg]

Does he have a habit of getting Tip-sy?

Yes.  From too much "grass".  It makes him puke.   

No. He's black with white on the tips of his feet and tail.

[obscure]

1.  Dogs - I've had dogs all my life.  Here's my dog Tips.

Well, are you going to share them or what?

LOL.  That's his name.  Tips.