Dolphins are very intelligent, and use their sonar to detect mines in the water. They work with the U.S. Navy Marine Mammal Program.
Monkeys are highly intelligent, and have many jobs around the world. They can help disabled people with daily tasks, or even assist with police work.
It might not be an official job, but spiders can actually help humans by cleaning insects off our fruit. They work as a natural replacement to pesticide.
Of course, horses have been helping humans since the dawn of time. You don't really need to be reminded of their role in farms around the world.
A bomb-sniffing dog named Patron has helped neutralize hundreds of Russian explosives in Ukraine. The tiny Jack Russell terrier—and his owner, Mykhailo Iliev of the Civil Protection Service—were even awarded a presidential medal by Volodymyr Zelenskyy in recognition of Patron's service to the country, detecting more than 200 undetonated explosive devices since the beginning of the war in late February, Reuters reports.
Rats get a bad reputation as a nuisance in cities, but their cleverness and ability to get into tight spaces is being put to good use. In 2022, Belgian non-profit APOPO started putting tiny, high-tech backpacks on rodents to help first responders search for survivors among rubble in disaster zones, CNN reported. With the rise of natural disasters like earthquakes and hurricanes putting more lives at threat by leveling entire towns, rats' small size, adventurous spirit, and excellent sense of smell make them perfect for locating survivors in tight spaces, says Donna Kean, a behavioral research scientist and leader of the project.
The rats, currently still in training, are to first locate the target person in an empty room, pull a switch on their vest that triggers a beeper, and then return to base, where they will receive a treat. The backpacks will reportedly be equipped with a video camera, two-way microphone, and location transmitter to help first responders communicate with survivors. But you'll see that rats have many other diverse talents, too.
Over the years, scientists in America and Greenland have fitted narwhals with satellite tags. Tracking the animals helps determine the changing temperature of water.
Of course, horses have been helping humans since the dawn of time. You don't really need to be reminded of their role in farms around the world.
Brown is part of the specially trained dogs in rescue operations working alongside their handlers to patrol Levante Beach near Malaga. Equipped with life vests, they join the team on jet skis and boats. Known for their impressive strength and swimming abilities, these animals can detect ocean currents invisible to humans and tow life rafts weighing several tons, making them invaluable in saving lives.
From dogs to dolphins, pretty much everyone loves animals. It's not hard to see why, animals can bring such joy into our lives, whether it's in our home, on our screens, or out in the wild. However, there are some animals that put in work, hard work in fact. Of course you've heard of guide dogs and the like, but there are more jobs out there in the animal kingdom, like police horses, sneaky smuggling pigeons, and oysters that fight against water pollution.
Click through this gallery to meet these genius animals with amazing jobs.
Intelligent animals with unique jobs
The unrecognized champions making impactful contributions toward society
LIFESTYLE Animals
From dogs to dolphins, pretty much everyone loves animals. It's not hard to see why, animals can bring such joy into our lives, whether it's in our home, on our screens, or out in the wild. However, there are some animals that put in work, hard work in fact. Of course you've heard of guide dogs and the like, but there are more jobs out there in the animal kingdom, like police horses, sneaky smuggling pigeons, and oysters that fight against water pollution.
Click through this gallery to meet these genius animals with amazing jobs.