Animals Whose Intelligence Could Rival A Human’s (The Most Brilliant Creatures On Earth)
Scientists and researchers continuously work to deepen our understanding of the natural world, particularly the amazing diversity of animal species. As Clint Perry highlights in ScienceX, "Today, experts in animal cognition no longer see humans as the ultimate benchmark for intelligence. Instead, they recognize animals as intelligent beings that perceive the world in distinct and unique ways." The use of tools has long been associated with intelligence, but only a select few species possess this skill. What was once believed to be an exclusively human trait has now been proven otherwise. Keep reading to discover which animals rank among the smartest on Earth.
Man's Best Friend!
Though human men aren't always known for their sharpest wits, they definitely chose a brilliant partner in dogs! Canines help police officers, assist people with disabilities, and support many others—all without a single grumble. And it only takes a little training to unlock their potential.
Dogs have evolved alongside humans, becoming experts at understanding and meeting our needs. Recent studies reveal that dogs are more intelligent than horses, cats, and many other comparable animals. Thanks to thorough research, we now have even more evidence of just how smart dogs really are.
Amazing Chimps
Chimpanzees grabbed attention as the first nonhuman animals known to use tools. Since then, they've amazed everyone with their cleverness. They’ve learned to use sticks not only to catch insects but also as spears to hunt for food.
In memory tests, chimps have even outperformed some adult humans! Like many intelligent animals, chimpanzees demonstrate empathy by comforting each other. Their intricate social lives likely play a big role in their impressive intelligence.
The Cousin Of Chimps, Bonobos
Chimpanzees are undoubtedly intelligent, but how do they compare to bonobos? One bonobo named Kanzi was raised around family and researchers who taught him to communicate using over 300 symbols.
Kanzi mastered skills like starting fires, understanding roughly 3,000 English words, and even roasting his own marshmallows. He also enjoys picking movies to watch by pressing buttons. Some apes are remarkably advanced, and bonobos rank among the smartest of them all.
The Life Of A Wolf
Though dogs often steal the spotlight since we own and train them, wolves might actually be the smarter species. They can grasp concepts their domesticated relatives also understand, such as following pointing gestures and making eye contact.
In a test involving cheese and strings, wolves consistently chose the correct option. In contrast, the dogs kept selecting the same side, even after the researchers changed the location where the food was given.
It's A Pig's World
To many, pigs are just a source of food, nothing more. But pigs actually have unique personalities and emotions, including the ability to show empathy. They quickly sense how other pigs feel and often reflect those emotions. These smart creatures also have remarkable long-term memories.
At the same time, pigs can be surprisingly clever, especially when it comes to food—they're known to trick others to get what they want. Plus, pigs can recognize themselves in mirrors, a rare talent among animals.
Ravens Are Smart Birds
Ravens and crows completely overturn the stereotype of being "birdbrains." Scientists once believed that planning abilities were limited to humans and apes, but ravens have proven otherwise. These clever birds can select a specific item from a group that will earn them a treat, even if the reward comes hours later.
What's truly surprising is that young children and monkeys failed this test, while ravens aced it with ease.
The Trash Pandas
They're called "trash pandas," but that's just a front for the intelligent raccoon. The curious creatures are creative with their approach to things, as they don't take conventional routes to achieve what they want or need.
In an intelligence test consisting of food placed in a tube along with a low level of water, the snack is too low for the raccoons to reach. Instead of doing what other animals did (filling up the container with rocks to make the water rise), a raccoon jumped on top of it. It rocked the tube until it toppled over in order to grab the tasty snack.
Remember, They Never Forget
An elephant's intelligence is truly remarkable and shouldn’t be underestimated. African elephants have independently learned to differentiate between human languages and individual speakers. For instance, they recognize certain male voices as threats because those speakers are hunters.
Elephants also display empathy, mourning their deceased companions. They’re capable of solving puzzles and recognizing their own reflections in mirrors. Additionally, elephants demonstrate greater self-control around tempting food than many other animals, even surpassing crows in this regard.
The Clever And Crafty Orangutan
Although not humans' closest relatives, orangutans are believed to be more intelligent than chimpanzees. They often plan their daily routes in advance—a behavior rare among animals—and even share these plans with fellow orangutans.
Remarkably, some orangutans can use an iPad proficiently. Like their bonobo relatives, they communicate with humans using symbols to express ideas about objects, food, and abstract concepts. This advanced understanding of abstractions truly distinguishes them in the animal kingdom.
Are You Smarter Than A Parrot?
A Harvard graduate student purchased a parrot named Alex from a pet store, and the bird quickly demonstrated remarkable intelligence. Alex learned over one hundred English words, could count, and identified various shapes and colors. Impressively, Alex even understood basic addition.
While nonhuman primates haven't yet mastered English, Alex was able to communicate in a simple way, though he lacked logical reasoning. Researchers think that social interaction plays a key role in the development of intelligence, and parrots are known for their sociable nature.
Don't Knock A Squirrel's Intelligence
Squirrels' intelligence can be closely linked to their skill in hiding food. These energetic creatures show their cleverness when observed while they "bury" their stash. They'll quickly tuck the item under their armpit, pretending to place it in the hole they've just dug.
Once they're out of sight, the squirrel will actually hide the food properly. Their resourcefulness allows them to thrive alongside humans, continuing to live comfortably without much trouble.
Horses Know How To Communicate
Horses and humans have shared a close bond for centuries. Over time, horses have developed clever ways to communicate with people. In one study, researchers placed carrots near a human but away from the horse. The horse then tried to get the person's attention, clearly hoping to score the tasty treat.
In another experiment, horses learned to touch symbols to indicate whether they wanted a blanket. What's remarkable is that they didn't choose randomly—they made decisions based on the weather. When it was cold or windy, they selected the blanket, and when it was warm, they opted out.
A Rat's Quest
Ever wondered why rats are often used in scientific labs? It's because they're highly social and intelligent, much like humans. They've demonstrated the ability to count and track time, such as pressing a button every 15 seconds when trained to do so.
Another remarkable trait is their altruism—they help other rats without expecting anything in return. These clever creatures can also experience emotions like happiness and sadness, and they even enjoy being tickled.
Do You Own A Cat?
Cats and humans share similar brain structures. In fact, a cat's cerebral cortex is more developed than a dog's and contains 140 million more neurons. While this doesn't necessarily make them smarter, it certainly makes them better problem-solvers.
Cats may not be as patient as dogs, but they do take cues from their owners when it comes to new experiences or objects. The challenge in fully understanding their intelligence lies in the difficulty of researching them, but there's still a solid foundation of knowledge about our feline friends.
Eight Helpful Tentacles, One Smart Brain
Octopuses are incredibly smart creatures. They, along with their cuttlefish and squid relatives, are the brightest invertebrates alive. It's a fact that many aquariums have a hard time keeping them captive due to their craftiness and ability to flee from most enclosures.
Have you ever known another animal that can solve puzzles? When they're in the wild, octopuses use tools like coconut shells that they carry along the seafloor to use as mobile hideouts. That's clever thinking.
A Baboon's Life
Baboons aren't apes, but they're one of the smarter bunches in the family tree. When researchers did a study asking them to pick a cup with the most peanuts, baboons displayed their ability to understand numbers and math.
The only thing is that when the difference between the cups was minimal, the baboons had a harder time. It's like they were children who hadn't quite learned how to count yet. But when the cups had a significant discrepancy, it was a piece of cake for them!
Mighty And Intelligent Whales
Something whales and humans have in common is their complex social lives. Sperm whales use local dialects to talk with each other, like how some people use "pop" instead of "soda." They also learn from one another.
These creatures of the sea pass down information from generation to generation, too. Something special about them is they have an altruistic behavior, meaning they act unselfishly in certain situations. Not every animal has that much social intelligence.
Gorillas Are Ahead Of The Class
There was a famous gorilla named Koko who passed away in 2018 but not before exhibiting many pure signs of genius. Koko could understand 2,000 spoken words and could communicate in sign language with more than a thousand signs.
Koko was a natural with pretty much everything taught to her. She was able to differentiate colors and sign what the item was. She could also use a sink and even draw things with a pen. Koko was practically as smart as a young kid and even had her own pet cats that she loved.
Humans' Equals In The Sea
Humans might reign supreme on land, but in the sea, that title belongs to dolphins. They're creative thinkers who enjoy having a good time by playing tag or even sliding off the back of a humpback whale.
A dolphin will hunt using a sponge or conch shell to help capture their fish. Something even more astounding is that they have their own names, or "signature whistles." They'll respond promptly when they hear their own whistle. They might also know how to gossip because they'll use another dolphin's whistle when he or she isn't around to hear it!
