The most intelligent animals – Top 10

The smartest animals in the world - TOP 10 Since we are two-legged beings that rule all continents, it's sometimes hard for us to accept that there are many other intelligent creatures around us. Intelligence itself does not depend on the degree of "civilization" or a number of limbs. What determines its level and what does it manifest through in specific animals then? Below we will try to answer these burning questions, but let us start at the beginning. Encephalization quotient The quotient developed by H.J. Jerison in the 1960s, also called the encephalization level, tells us how many times bigger or smaller is the average brain of a representative of a given species than the predicted size of the brain of an animal of its typical size. This type of intelligence measurement is less "clinical" than the brain-to-body mass ratio because the method considers such parameters as the amount of energy used by the brain and body. Brain size It has been observed that the brain size is larger in large animals, i.e., large animals usually have bigger brains than smaller animals. What is interesting, small mammals have relatively bigger brains than big representatives of the phylum, e.g. mice have similar brain-to-body ratio as humans (1:40), and elephants have relatively small brains compared to their overall size - this ratio is 1:560, although elephants are among the most intelligent animals in the world. Human and animals Most mammals are born with a brain whose weight constitutes 90% of the brain weight of an adult individual. The human brain is only 28% of the target weight at birth, and, for comparison, the brain of a small chimpanzee weighs about 54% of the adult brain, a young dolphin's brain is 42.5%, and a young elephant's brain is 35%. Language – a manifestation of intelligence Language is the exchange of information, in the world of animals we can find many examples of communication; from instinct behaviors (marking territory with scents, body posture emphasizing domination or docility) to learned verbalization of emotions and intentions. Only conscious beings can learn spoken language, so it applies not only to people but also to many (if not all) animal species. The most evident example of complex communication methods are sounds made by cetaceans, especially common bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) and humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae). While dolphins use a system of squeaks and whistles, humpback whales produce complex, long songs that can travel many kilometers. Learned language Sounds made by grivets (Chlorocebus aethiops), which have 3-4 words warning against a predator are another example of a learned language. When a monkey sees an eagle, it produces a warning sound, and then the rest of the group jumps down the trees and seeks shelter. Another sound may be translated into: "Warning, a leopard!", after which monkeys jump on trees. When there is a python approaching, grivets make yet another sound, and the response to it is to stay in one place and observe the surrounding area to detect the slithering killer. Skeptical voices Skeptics may say that these sounds arise from instincts, but there are two strong arguments that these behaviors are, actually, learned: Young grivets do not understand these signals. Different groups use different "words" to determine the same animal. So what animals can astonish us with their intelligence? Let the following list be the answer to this question. The list will surely not cover animal intelligence exhaustively. If we were to prepare a comprehensive ranking, it would certainly consist of plenty of pages - the list would include orangutans, gorillas, killer whales, parrots, octopuses (they can open a jar) or rats. The wisest animals Top 10 Horses (Equus caballus) In the past, they were considered stupid beings lacking abstract thinking skills, and their biggest motivation to make any kind of effort was their herd. However, contemporary research has shown that cognitive processes in a horse brain are more complex than we think. Their minds work actively during feeding and being in contact with other members of the herd. They can visualize two- and three-dimensional images, they learn and solve both easy and complex issues, e.g. categorize and learn concepts. They learn best by habituation (when there is a decrease in responding to a repeated stimulus that confers no information (changes)), desensitization (reduction of anxiety reactions through gentle confrontation with the situation that causes anxiety), Pavlovian conditioning (stimulus-response), and instrumental conditioning (system of rewards and punishment). Recent research has shown that horses can learn to count to 4. Sheep (Ovis aries) Because sheep blindly run away when they are panicked, people believe that they are "unintelligent". However, researchers from the University of Illinois have proved that sheep intelligence level is only a little below pig intelligence (but how to put pigs on such a list? :)) and equal to the rest of horned farm animals. These inconspicuous animals can recognize specific human and sheep faces, and they remember them for many years; on the basis of face expressions they can also guess the current emotional state, and the best method to train them is the clicker training which is about associating a "click" sound with a positive response and reward for the response. Domestic cats (Felis catus) Although they have as many fans as adversaries, they cannot be denied their position on this list, because they can adapt to many situations very well and acquire new behaviors that they associate with past situations. In social groups cats openly communicate their needs and desires, they also response to their trainers' commands. Moreover, on the basis of the WAIS IQ test results, it has been indicated that cat intelligence is at a relatively high level. It is known that cats are aware of the existence of objects that are not currently in their field of vision, and tests on sensory and motor responses are similar to the abilities of children of two years of age. The experimental conditions have shown that cats store information in their memory for about 10 years, and further observations have proved that they can dream. Squirrels Yes, yes, also these small, clever animals are considered to be among the most intelligent animals in the world. In fact, it's hard to deny because cleverness often is the manifestation of intelligence. Squirrels are basically self-taught - they learn by observing fellow squirrels, especially when it comes to stealing food. Many experiments have shown that they learn to recognize the lack of food faster than its presence. Also, there are indications that squirrels see other squirrels as possible food thieves, so they quickly acquire new skills through observation. Ravens, Corvids (Corvidae) The whole crow family evinces incredibly intelligent behaviors, e.g. corvids from Israel learned how to use breadcrumbs as a bait to catch fish. However, what is the most astonishing thing is their ability to use simple tools, hiding and storing food for a long time. They have the animal type of episodic memory (memory of events), they can also use their past experiences to anticipate the behaviors of the representatives of the same species. Some corvids, e.g. the New Caledonian crow (Corvus moneduloides), make their own tools used for obtaining food; these include "knives" made of stiff leaves and grass. If a bird cannot cope with cracking hard nuts, it throws it on the street and waits until a car runs over it, thus, the nut will be cracked. Corvids from Australia also cannot be denied their cleverness; they learned how to eat the toxic cane toad (Rhinella marina) whose skin may kill many animals. Corvids from Queensland turn the toad on its back and quickly cut its throat in the thinnest spot to reach non-toxic internal organs. It is likely that they can also distinguish people by their facial features. Eurasian magpie (Pica pica) The common magpie (Eurasian magpie) is one of the most intelligent birds. Similarly to the Western jackdaw (Coloeus monedula), it has a big nidopallium - an area in the brain used for many executive functions and solving cognitive tasks. The nidopallium to body rate is similar to the chimpanzee or human one. It means that the magpie is more intelligent than many apes, e.g. gibbons. As in other corvids, the brain-to-body ratio is equal to the one of most hominids and cetaceans. The mirror test has shown that the magpie is self-aware - this is a characteristic feature only of some mammals and several animals of other phyla. There have been many sophisticated social rituals observed in the magpie, such as showing sadness. The bird can also make tools and store food. For this purpose, it uses episodic memory, own experiences, and the ability of predicting the behaviors of other representatives of the same species. The parent can also portion food for its offspring, bearing in mind its size. In captivity, magpies imitate human speech and use their own tools for cleaning their cages. In the wild, they form so-called gangs and use complex hunting strategies. The cognitive skills of the magpie are considered evidence that its intelligence has evolved independently from other corvids and primates. Domestic dogs (Canis lupus familiaris) Of course, the ranking couldn't do without human's best friend. A high level of socializing and the ability to learn in many ways with the reward and punishment method, and, also, by observation, are their strongest features. Dogs are aware of inanimate objects around, but learning this is a long-lasting process, as in children. The receptive brains of puppies learn adequate behaviors by observing older, more experienced dogs, as well as imitating human behaviors. Domestic dogs show advanced social behaviors by associating behaviors with abstract meaning, for example, they know that beings that surround them are also aware of their presence. Researchers have proven that dogs can interpret subtle social signals and it seems that they recognize when a human focuses his or her attention on them. In some tests showing these behaviors, dogs turned out to be better than primates - chimpanzees, and even infants. The complex brain structure suggests that these animals experience strong anxiety when they are left by their owners. Elephants (Elephantidae) These large mammals have typically human mind features: in the mirror test they can see their reflection, and this proves self-awareness and highly developed cognitive processes occurring in some apes and dolphins. Elephants, similarly as corvids, can use tools, in particular, twigs used as flytraps, that undergo modifications before being used. And although the level of tool creation is not as high as in chimpanzees, the fact itself may be surprising. Apart from their creativity, elephants have a great memory, and it is difficult to determine to what extent they experience emotions. They seem to show their interest in elephant skeletons they find, whether or not they belonged to a related individual. As in chimpanzees and dolphins, dying and dead elephants are surrounded with care by other group members. Rhesus macaque (Macaca mulatta) Rhesus macaques are very resilient and smart primates whose intelligence is manifested by a valuable skill of adapting to various habitats. They are so adaptive that they can even get used to living among people. Rhesus macaques are commonly found in India where they are considered sacred by Indians, which also makes them inviolable. Apart from Asia, these apes could survive in Florida forests, however - despite their high intelligence - few people would like to be around them longer than necessary, because these animals are impetuous, noisy, and aggressive, and they form groups of even 200 individuals. The rhesus macaque as one of the most intelligent primates is often used for clinical and scientific research. The abbreviation "Rh" (Rhesus) is a human blood factor responding to the blood of these apes, which enabled developing vaccines for polio and pox. Rhesus macaques were also among the first creatures that were sent into space before human. Apparently, our civilization owes them much, especially due to their many similarities to humans. Chimpanzees (Pan) Although the human brain is three times bigger than the brain of the chimpanzee, they both are the most similar in terms of their appearance, intellect, and emotionality. The genome of the chimpanzee and human has also many similarities. These apes can make tools (sticks which they "entrap" termites in their mounds with) and spear-like items that they use during hunting. Obtaining food requires close cooperation and influence on other group members, thus, chimpanzees can deceive and manipulate, they can also use symbols correctly and understand basic human verbal messages. Thus, they can plan to some extent. Dolphins The list culminates with a mammal which many people wouldn't have suspected of being intelligent more than chimpanzees, but the fact is that the cognitive skills of dolphins enable them to learn very effectively, to use their sensory skills, and to create so-called cognitive representations. Dolphins can distinguish between language sequences, they have a good memory, observe themselves, distinguish between and match specific items with each other, understand symbolic drawings of different body parts, and when another dolphin or human points at something with a gesture, the animal looks in the direction of that object. Moreover, dolphins would be able to use numbers. It is known for sure that at least some species of dolphins use tools, e.g. individuals of Shark Bay (Australia) put sea sponges on their rostrum, most likely to avoid injuring their snout while searching for food near the sandy seafloor, and dolphins of the coasts of Mauretania often cooperate with fishers and drive fish into their nets. We quite often hear about dolphin behaviors towards injured fellow dolphins or even humans, when dolphins want to offer selfless help. 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