THE WORLD IS BEAUTIFUL

by **Paul** Thu 21 Mar 2024, 5:23 pm

ANIMAL WITS
10 Animals That Are Way Smarter Than You Think

Published on March 19, 2024

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Credit: Louan García

While humans often pride themselves on their intelligence, the animal kingdom is filled with creatures whose smarts might surprise you. From advanced problem-solving skills to complex social systems, some animals demonstrate intelligence in ways that challenge our understanding of cognition.
Let's dive into the deep world of animal intellect and discover 10 species that are way smarter than you might think.

1

Chimpanzees

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Credit: Anna Roberts

Chimpanzees share about 98.8% of their DNA with humans, and their intelligence reflects this close relationship. They can learn sign language, use tools, and even demonstrate empathy. Chimpanzees have complex social groups and show remarkable problem-solving abilities, using sticks to extract termites from mounds or rocks to crack open nuts.

2

Elephants

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Credit: Nam Anh

Elephants do have steel-trap memories, as their large brains evolved to allow them to remember complex routes and the location of key watering holes over vast distances. They also exhibit emotional intelligence, displaying human-like behaviors such as comforting distressed herd members and mourning their dead.

3

Octopuses

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Credit: K. Mitch Hodge

With their complex nervous system and ability to solve puzzles, octopuses are some of the most intelligent species in the animal kingdom. Besides being masters of deceit, capable of camouflaging with their surroundings and making daring escapes, they can display complex behaviors like opening jars, navigating mazes, and mimicking other creatures. Some individuals even learn to fashion makeshift weapons out of highly venomous Portuguese man o' war tentacles.

4

Crows

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Credit: Tyler Quiring

Crows are among the most intelligent birds, capable of using tools and solving multi-step puzzles. They've been observed crafting hooks out of twigs to extract insects from hard-to-reach places and even dropping nuts onto busy roads to let passing cars crack them open for them. Researchers even think crows are capable of self-awareness, and their intelligence has been compared to that of great apes like gorillas, proving that brain size isn’t always a direct indicator of brainpower.

5

Dolphins

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Credit: Talia Cohen

Dolphins are not only highly social creatures but also remarkably intelligent. Some scientists even believe they are the second smartest animal on the planet, only next to humans! Dolphins are very quick learners and have repeatedly proved to be self-aware, easily passing the mirror test. Also, they communicate through a sophisticated system of clicks and whistles, are capable of making and using simple tools, and exhibit a complex set of emotions.

6

Pigs

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Credit: Kenneth Schipper Vera

Pigs are often underestimated, but they possess impressive cognitive abilities. They can learn tricks, solve problems, and even play video games! Pigs have excellent long-term memories and can adapt to new environments quickly. On average, they are even considered to be smarter than dogs, approximating the intelligence of 4-year-old children.

7

Parrots

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Credit: Ilona Frey

Just like crows, parrots are exceptionally intelligent, and not only among their avian peers. Parrots are renowned for their ability to mimic human speech, but their intelligence goes beyond mere mimicry. They can solve puzzles, use tools, and demonstrate a deep understanding of concepts such as object permanence.

8

Rats

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Credit: slyfox photography

Rats are highly adaptable creatures with excellent problem-solving skills. They can navigate complex mazes, learn from observation, and even demonstrate empathy by freeing trapped companions. For this reason, they are often used in laboratory settings, both to learn more about mammal intelligence and to test complex behaviors.

9

Orcas

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Credit: Thomas Lipke

Orcas, also known as killer whales, can be terrifyingly clever. One of the most adaptable predators in the seas, orcas owe a large part of their success to their astounding intelligence. They have distinct dialects and complex social lives, but what sets them apart from other cetaceans are their highly specialized hunting strategies. Even more strangely, some populations used to hunt alongside human whalers, alerting humans of the presence of whales and guiding them to their location in exchange for scraps.

10

Ants

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Credit: MD_JERRY

While individual ants might not seem very smart by themselves, collectively, they exhibit remarkable intelligence. Similarly to a brain composed of individual neurons, an anthill effectively behaves as one "superorganism" composed by many individual ants. The anthill creates large structures and ingeniously gathers nearby resources to keep itself alive. But even at the individual level, ants are capable of navigating complex environments, communicating through chemical signals, and coordinating group activities easily.