Realistic animals in the world of Sonic the Hedgehog »

          A rather interesting question is, in the world of Sonic the hedgehog, are there realistic animals that are just like the ones here on Earth? Because if not, then Sonic's race would be composed entirely of vegetarians. The cows, pigs, ducks, chickens, etc., etc. on Sonic's world would be like Sonic since they'd walk, talk, and think intellectually. And it would be rather inhumane for the others to butcher and then feed on cows, pigs, ducks, and chickens that think and talk intellectually, now wouldn't it? It's quite a subject to think on if you perhaps made a fancharacter who has a carnivorous diet. However, if there are normal animals like here on Earth in the Sonic Universe, then it's perfectly okay. But the question is… are there?

           First thing we need to do is figure out where we have seen any encounters with realistic animals in the Sonic series and also think of where Sonic comes from. There will be a separate solution for every possible place Sonic could come from. Anyway, let's get down to business, shall we?

          Unfortunately, the hints are generally scarce. The small animals you free from the robots and capsules don't count, since they too have been proven to talk and think intellectually. We need to find parts where actual, realistic animals have been shown. Let's see if we can find anything:

(1). Sonic 1 Special Stage: realistic fish and birds move across the background. Even though this is not actual proof that they are on Sonic's world, it does show that realistic animals are acknowledged. That's a start, right?
(2). Sonic 3D Flickies' Island: Moles are shown burrowing at points throughout the Green Grove Zone in the Saturn version.
(3). Sonic Adventure: The fact that Big fishes shows direct evidence of realistic animals. (But then again, for you Sonic X buffs, Sonic Adventure took place on Earth where the humans live, where there would obviously be normal animals… but try going back to the first episode where it shows Big fishing with Froggy on Sonic's world right when the dome of light from Chaos Control begins to spread, so there you go — you win both ways.)
(4). Hello!? The killer whale and dolphins in Sonic Adventure! (However, like with Big and his fishing, this will be discarded for you Sonic X buffs.)
(5). Fang likes red meat and beef. Where does he get this red meat and beef from? Obviously not walking, talking and intelligent life unless he's a cannibal.

           Other pieces of evidence that realistic animals exist in the Sonic Universe also come in the form of official clip art. In fact, the many pieces of art for the Sonic Screensaver show a lot of realistic animals. Let's take a look.

           Snails, snakes, fish, crabs, starfish, coral and seagulls. Whew. Lots of realistic animals, huh? But hey, they're displaying emotion! Yeah, so? This is a cartoon. Inanimate objects freakin' display emotion in cartoons — Amy's lame car she drives in the Sonic Drift games has a face and displays emotion. The cheetah from Sonic X episode 18 displayed emotion, but it was a realistic animal. So are these. So overall, we have some pretty solid evidence. Now onto the solutions:

Solution #1: This is for the game purists like myself. This would mean that Sonic Adventure and Sonic Adventure 2 all still took place in the Sonic Universe that the old games took place in, despite the overwhelming amounts of humans. If this is what you believe in, then there would obviously be realistic animals in the Sonic Universe considering Big's fishing, all of the evidence said and shown above, and the presence of humans. (Them humans need some of that good, hearty steak! Especially the ones over at the burger bar seen in Station Square!)

Solution #2: This is for you Sonic X buffs who think the anime TV series is canon to the games. Sonic comes from some other world in Sonic X, right? And it's obvious that the world he comes from is where the old games took place since his world has people LIKE him, along with the animals you freed from the robots seen running around. Well, look at the above Sonic Screensaver pics, the evidence that is above THOSE, and the fact that Big is seen fishing on Sonic's world in the first episode. That shows that there are realistic animals on Sonic's world. Plus, in quite a few episodes, particularly ones where the characters are hanging out at Chris' mansion, they are eating cuisine with some meat in it.

Solution #3: Not convinced by any of this? Still going to be a fastidious douchebag? Fine. Solution #3 is to say there are no realistic animals in the Sonic Universe and every single animal has emotion and can talk, rendering all Sonic characters as vegetarians except for the occasional, insane cannibal.

            In closing, there has to be realistic animals in the Sonic universe. Every species has its carnivores. Not everything can live on plants. Cats, dogs, certain dinosaurs, etc., etc. *need* the protein and iron in meat to survive since their bodies are built to EAT MEAT. This is why I fart in the general direction of any people who say eating meat is wrong. And our evidence that realistic animals do exist in the Sonic universe is substantial enough for anybody. Plothole solved.