Art, obsession, and identity
Sharing at least 98% of its DNA with humans, the chimpanzee is our closest relative. It is not surprising, then, that chimpanzees are amongst the most intelligent creatures on the planet.
Dolphins demonstrate a key indicator of intelligence: creativity. One dolphin in Australia used a sponge to fashion herself a snout protector for hunting on the seafloor.
Dolphins also use a series of distinctive whistles and clicks, which is thought to amount to some sort of dolphin spoken language.
It is common knowledge that elephants have brilliant memories, but this isn’t the only facet of their intelligence.
Elephants have also been observed comforting each other in times of distress and communicating with each other using vibrations felt in their feet.
Crows are known for being extremely resourceful–they are able to make tools to help them reach food in otherwise unreachable places.
Ravens, a type of crow, are also crafty in another way: they are able to manipulate their fellow crows in order to optimize their chances of finding protection and food.
Research shows that these adorable rodents are capable of tricking anything or anyone who may steal their food. In one experiment, the deceptive plotting of squirrels increased after they saw humans taking their nuts.
Studies have also shown that squirrels are able to make three-dimensional maps to help them find their way back to where they buried their nuts.
In one experiment, a dog accurately distinguished between photos of dogs and photos of landscapes.
It is also possible to train a cat to obey commands, but this is more difficult than training a dog.
However, this does not necessarily mean that cats are less intelligent–according to experts, they are simply different.
It is a truth universally acknowledged that pigs are extremely intelligent, perhaps just as smart as chimpanzees.
In one experiment, pigs learned just as quickly as chimpanzees to differentiate between images they knew and images they were seeing for the first time.
Research has shown that goats are likely a lot more intelligent than we might be led to assume. One experiment required a sample of 12 goats to work a complex contraption that delivers food.
Nine out of the twelve managed it after about four attempts, and the majority still recalled how to work the device 10 months later.
These striped critters are hugely important to our ecosystem, but their talents stretch far wider than simply pollinating our plants.
In one experiment, scientists successfully taught bees to identify which of two parallel horizontal lines was above the other.
Research shows that a raccoon’s famous ‘waste not, want not’ attitude is not the only example of its street smarts.
In a 1908 experiment, it took under 10 attempts for raccoons to pick a complex lock.
When it comes to intelligence, a chicken may not look like much compared to a dog or a dolphin, but they are actually not as dopey as they seem.
Research suggests that they are able to identify different colors and shapes.
Although it is the gray parrot’s ability to accurately mimic human speech that makes it such a fun pet, this gorgeous parrot can also solve complex problems.
According to Live Science, gray parrots have the same smarts as a three-year-old human child.
Although their ability is more unsung than that of dolphins, whales also use complex sounds to communicate with each other.
They also have a high capacity to solve problems.
See also: Genius animals with amazing jobs.
Of course it’s common knowledge that dogs are capable of learning to sit, lie, and fetch. But dogs may be even more intelligent than we realize.
Exactly how smart these animals are is yet to be determined, but they are unquestionably amongst the more intelligent marine lifeforms.
Although the concept of intelligence is notoriously difficult to define, it is usually accepted that humans are the most intelligent creatures on the planet. We are able to solve problems, generate new ideas, and experience complex emotions.
A much more heavily debated issue is which animal ranks second to humans in terms of intelligence. Indeed, there are a number of creatures in the world that exhibit different signs of intelligence. Check out this gallery to find out which are the smartest members of the animal kingdom.
The world's smartest animals
Animal kingdom's top intelligent beings
LIFESTYLE Animal kingdom
Although the concept of intelligence is notoriously difficult to define, it is usually accepted that humans are the most intelligent creatures on the planet. We are able to solve problems, generate new ideas, and experience complex emotions.
A much more heavily debated issue is which animal ranks second to humans in terms of intelligence. Indeed, there are a number of creatures in the world that exhibit different signs of intelligence. Check out this gallery to find out which are the smartest members of the animal kingdom.