Technological Mammals

 I just found this Wired article and have to take issue with it.

It's an analysis of the chances of a replacement species evolving if humanity becomes extinct. They argue the chances are low.

They also state multiple times that it requires the evolution of mammals!

Guys...guys...stop being so parochial. Of the second tier species that would be most likely to take our place, well, here's the list:

Chimps/other great apes (yes, mammals)

Elephants (also mammals)

Cetaceans (also mammals)

Corvids. HOLD UP. Not mammals! They'd probably be insulted.

In order of likelihood for who would take over, though?

We can pretty much dismiss cetaceans for technological civilization. It's hard to use advanced tools when aquatic and by the time they had come back out of the sea... Also no manipulative appendages.

Elephants have the problem of being so large and their manipulative appendages are pretty weak sauce. They're possible.

Chimps? They have all the physical advantages we do, but I'm placing them second because there aren't that many great apes.

The most likely species to develop a technological civilization out of our ruins?

It's the crows.

They are everywhere and are capable of making tools, have the knowledge of trade, can even handle concepts like water displacement. They hold funerals. They visit their parents.

It's the crows, people.

Dear Wired author, stop. Think. And set aside your mammal prejudice.