Have you ever wondered about the intelligence of animals? The animal kingdom is filled with numerous examples of intelligence that often rival our own. Studying animal intelligence deepens our understanding of the natural world and raises questions about our place in it. Intelligence in animals can be measured in various ways, including problem-solving abilities, social behavior, communication skills, and adaptability. Scientists use different tools, like observation, experiments, and puzzles, to test these traits in animals. Here are some most intelligent animals in the world, explained with examples.
- Humans
There are numerous reasons that humans are widely regarded as the most intelligent animal on Earth. The main feature of his intelligence is adaptability. They adapt to the new environment, new culture, and technological dominance. Humans have a highly developed neocortex (the part of the brain responsible for higher-order thinking, reasoning, and decision making), which is proportionally larger than any other animal in the world.
They have a high neuron count (86 billion neurons), far more than even brilliant animals like elephants (257 billion, but with less efficient organization) or chimpanzees (6-7 billion).
They have a large prefrontal cortex, complex language and communication system, tool use and technological advancement, abstract reasoning, problem solving, social intelligence and cooperation, and of course domination of the planet.
2, Great apes (Chimpanzee)
Chimpanzees share about 98 % of their DNA with humans, making them our close relatives. Chimpanzees can recognize themselves in mirrors. They have been observed using sticks to extract termites from mounds, a clear sign of tool use (to see this, watch documentaries of Sir David Attenborough on Netflix). They also engage in cooperative hunting and can learn sign language to communicate with humans.
Scientists experiment to observe the intelligence of chimpanzees. They hang some bananas in one corner of the room and put different tools like tables, sticks, and chairs. After some time they see that the Chimp puts the table, where the bananas hang, and stands on it, uses a stick to take down the bananas.
3. Dolphins
Dolphins are a very intelligent and human-friendly species. Sometimes, even saving humans from danger. They are known for their advanced communication skills, self-awareness, and the ability of mimic. They have large brains relative to their body size.
Dolphins use echolocation to navigate and hunt, and they also recognize themselves in the mirror, a sign of self-awareness. They also have unique whistles that act as names, allowing them to identify each other.
4. Elephants
Elephants are the biggest land animals on earth because of their enormous size. They have the largest brains among land animals. They are extraordinarily intelligent and human friendly.
One is the expression that “an elephant never forgets” exists for a reason. They have excellent memories that can last for a lifetime. They have complex social structures and strong family bonds. They have been known to mourn their dead, showing a deep sense of empathy. They also use tools like branches to swat flies or scratch themselves. One of the main qualities of elephants’ intelligence is that their memory allows them to remember locations of water sources over long distances. When they travel in hot weather, they use dust or mud to put on their body to reduce the heat waves come from the sun.
Asian elephants differ from African elephants.
5. Octopuses
Octopuses are escape artists, able to escape from enclosures and use of different tools. They are the smartest creatures in the sea. They have a highly developed neurons system, with a large portion of their neurons located in their arms.
Example: Octopuses have been observed using coconut shells as portable shelters, a clear example of tool use. They have also problem-solving abilities such as opening jars to access food inside.
6. Pigs
Pigs are omnivores. Pigs are as trainable as cats and dogs. Many US people have pigs in their houses as pets. They are very social and highly intelligent animals.
Pigs can play video games with joysticks, remember objects long after they are gone, and recognize themselves in mirrors. They can learn complex tasks and adapt to new environments quickly. Pigs can be trained to perform tasks in laboratory settings, such as moving a cursor on a screen with their snouts. They also have a strong sense of direction and can find their way home over long distances.
7. Dogs
Dogs are known for their ability to understand human emotions, follow commands, and perform complex tasks. They have been domesticated for thousands of years, which has enhanced their ability to communicate with humans.
Border Collies, for instance, are often considered the most intelligent dog breed and can learn hundreds of words and commands. Dogs can also be trained to perform tasks such as guiding the blind, detecting drugs, or assisting in search and rescue operations.
Note: The ultrasonic whistle, often called “silent whistle,” it’s designed to produce sound frequencies that are beyond human hearing range (above 20kHz), but still audible to dogs and other animals.
8. Orcas (Killer whales)
They are the apex predators of the ocean. Orcas have complex social structures, advanced communication skills, and exhibit behaviors that suggest high levels of intelligence, such as cooperative hunting and teaching their young.
Orcas have been observed using coordinated strategies to hunt prey, such as creating waves to knock seals off ice floes. They also have distinct vocalizations that are unique to different pods, indicating a form of cultural transmission.
9. Rats
They’re maze masters and make decisions based on risk and reward. Rats are highly adaptable, have excellent memory, and can solve complex problems. They are also social animals with the ability to learn from each other.
Rats can navigate mazes with ease and remember the correct paths even after long periods. They are also used in scientific research due to their ability to learn and adapt to new situations quickly.
10. Horses
Horses can read human facial expressions and remember human friends for years. Horses are very faithful animals. They are very intelligent and human friendly. They remember route where they travel once a life time.
There is a proverb that “drink water, where horse drink water because horses drink only clean water”.
11. Raccoons
Raccoons can pick locks and remember solutions to tasks for years. They’re also highly adaptive to urban environments. They have different IQs. They can solve complex puzzles.
12. Orangutans
Orangutans craft tools and even use leaves as makeshift umbrellas. They used stems of plants for food. They solve puzzles and learn the use of different tools. The younger learn different techniques from their parents through observations.
Unfortunately, orangutans are critically endangered species due to human activities.
13. Squirrels
They are very social. Squirrels are masters of deception, pretending to bury food in one spot while hiding it elsewhere. Many trees nowadays are grown because of squirrels, because they forget where they bury them.
14. Bonobos
Bonobos are peace-loving apes with high emotional intelligence and a knack for using tools. They are very social.
15. Border collie
The type of breeds of dogs. One famous collie knew over 1,000 words and could identify toys by name.
Intelligence in animals is diverse and can manifest in various ways, from problem-solving and tool use to social behavior and communication. Each of these animals demonstrates unique cognitive abilities that allow them to thrive in their environments, often in ways that are surprisingly similar to human intelligence.
Causes of extinction and threats to smart animals:
- Habitat loss
- Climate change
- Poaching and illegal wildlife tools
- Pollution
- Human-wildlife conflict
- Lack of awareness
How are smart animals being protected?
Conservation programs, protected areas, and awareness campaigns are all key in protecting these intelligent creatures.