Animals

Animals are multicellular eukaryotes with differentiated tissues. They rely on plants, microbes, or other animals for food. Animals are usually self-mobile in at least one phase of their life cycle.

Important Animals for Martian Colonization

Certain types of animal may be of great importance for settlements.

Insects

Most insects are not vital for a colony, but some may be important.

Polination

Polinators, such as moths, butterflies, and bees, are a critical part of agriculture. Small greenhouses may be able to accomodate polination needs by direct human action. More efficient means, such as natural polination, are needed for large greenhouses. Bees also produce honey and wax as a by-product.

Food

Other insects, such as mealworms, silkworms, or crickets may be raised for food.

Ok so the Xbox 360 controller MUST be what they plaeyd the movie game demo with! Excellent! Did they happen to show you any progress on iRiven, a.k.a. Riven for iPhone, iPod Touch, and iPad? The elevator was just awesome and seamed like something from Myst. What they needed was some mock up linking books in random places to make it be more real. (Myst fanboy-nes kicking in! ) This movie is turning out to be a big ordeal, with a possible game and Happy Meal Toys and everything else that's been joked about I'm starting to think that this will be the relaunch of a forgotten franchise! (No joke on that game!)

Arachnids

Spiders are a source of natural fiber - spider silk.

Fish

Species of fish such as tilapia and catfish can be fed on waste biomass, and may provide a source of protein and amusement.

Mammals

Humans are the most important mammal to martian colonization. Other small mammals, such as rodents, cats, and dogs may be brought to Mars as pets.

Mice and Rats can serve a triple role - food, research subjects, and pets.