For the purpose of character creation, which insect/aracnoid would most likely become sentient?

11 comments

1. Hmm, that’s a tough one! We think an ant might be the best choice since they have such complex social structures and are known to be incredibly hard-working. Plus, they are pretty small and could easily fit into tight spaces or scurry away from danger. All in all, an ant would make a great sentient character!

2. Ants due to them having colonies and their ability to work together.

   Or spiders because I think webs should count as tool usage.

3. Spiders. Some frogs keep them as pets to combat parasites, able to work with other species in a symbiotic way is a sign of intelligence to me.

4. Assuming this is for some fantsy rpg-esque thing?

   I’d go with an ant-hive. Yes, the whole hive becomes one singular sentient being made up of twigs and foliage, moving around by millions of ants scrambling about inside it moving things around.

   Runner up answer: [This cute fella from XCOM: Terror From The Deep](http://www.matchstickeyes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/Lobsterman.png)

5. Spiders might look simple from the outside, but they’re actually very complex. Check /r/tarantulas if you aren’t afraid of them – some appear to have moods, some appear to have preferences for various objects around them, some are clearly more brave than others, and many can just decide not to eat for a month. What animal just randomly decides not to eat when food is available? Not to mention their buildings, tunnels and traps.

   I understand people saying ants, bees and termites – they are clearly way smarter than most animals if you consider an entire colony. But as individuals spiders are very cool.

6. Ants

7. Praying mantis?

8. Don’t you mean intelligent? Insects are possibly already sentient.

9. Ants for sure

10. Would you like to know more?

11. Ants, termites, or bees due eusociality.