Can they build houses or solve cancer? Nope. Can they talk? Maybe. Can they solve puzzles and problems? Yes! The animals in this list have smarty-pants skills that range from problem solving to critical thinking and social intelligence. Let’s learn more about them.
1. African Grey Parrots
They’re very intelligent, which is one of the reasons why African Grey Parrots don’t make good first time pets. Their large brains can hold a lot of information and skills, including problem-solving, planning, and vocal learning abilities. They can understand many concepts, including shapes, numbers, colors, and how to associate words with meanings and actions. This is because of the region in their brain that’s called the nidopallium caudolateral, which is almost the same as the human prefrontal cortex.
2. Chimpanzees
Chimpanzees are great apes, which is one of the four types of primates. They’re the smartest of the lot because they’ve got a higher cognitive ability than lesser apes, monkeys, and prosimians. Chimpanzee brains, especially the neocortex, are structured like human brains. This means they can handle complex tasks like using tools, solving problems, communicating with more than just sounds, and learning how to behave socially. Of all the ways that chimpanzees use tools, the most prominent is their use of sticks to find bugs and stones to crack open nuts. They also learn by observing other chimps and communicate with sign language.
3. Elephants
Elephants are huge, so you won’t be surprised when I tell you that they’ve got the largest brains of all the land animals, right? And that they’ve got more neurons than any other being, including humans? Those big brains are also well-developed, especially the cerebral cortex, so they’re capable of handling complex cognitive tasks. They can solve problems, utilize a number of tools, and effortlessly maintain a social hierarchy. Plus, they can remember people, places, and experiences for decades! This is pretty sad because they can display empathy and grief, so they’ll remember the death of a loved one for very, very long.
4. Crows and Ravens
While there may be a difference between ravens and crows, they’re very similar when it comes to intelligence. Both have a large brain-to-body ratio, which means they’ve got very large brains compared to the size of their bodies. On top of this, they’ve also got well-developed forebrains, which gives them an even higher cognitive capacity and better reasoning and problem-solving skills. Ravens and crows can solve puzzles, make tools and use them to their advantage, and plan for future events. They can also recognize human faces, gossip and hold grudges, and mimic many different sounds, including human voices.
5. Dolphins
We’ve finally solved the mystery. Now you don’t have to wonder why dolphins are always used in aquarium shows anymore! Their large brains allow them to solve problems, interact socially, use tools, and cooperate to achieve goals. Their communication skills are remarkable because they’re one of the animals that can talk like humans. They may not be able to utter words, but they can mimic pitch and tone! They also whistle and click and give a signature whistle to identify themselves when approaching a pod. Because of their complex social structures, they need to adapt as they go and learn new skills over generations.
6. Bonobos
There are a couple of animal species that can learn sign language, and these great apes are one of them. They use gestures, symbolic communications, and vocalizations to get their message to the world. Bonobos are cooperative and peaceful, and they prefer harmony in their social groups. They resolve conflict through sexual activity and other non-violent methods. They also show empathy and help others in need, even strangers and other animal species. Bonobo groups are one of the few primate groups led by females. They maintain the peace and influence the rest of the group’s cognitive development.
7. Orangutans
Oh look, another primate! If we’re talking about the smartest animal species in the world, I’m now fully convinced that great apes take the cake! Orangutans are animals that make the best mothers. This greatly influences their intelligence because they start their lives with only a couple of years of learning from their mothers. Orangutan mothers teach their young to use tools to their advantage, solve problems should they arise, and interact socially. They’re mostly solitary animals but they’ve got a certain group structure and different groups have different methods. They can exhibit self-awareness and signs of empathy as well as plan ahead.
8. Pigs
Unless you’ve heard about it before, you probably snorted when you saw that pigs made the list. But hear me out on this one. They’re actually really impressive animals! Pigs can solve problems like all the other animals in this list, but they’ve got a lot more going for them on the intelligence front. They can show signs of empathy, respond to social cues, remember very well, and recognize themselves in a mirror. They can remember where they found food in the past and navigate through mazes.
9. Octopuses
Octopuses are the second marine species to make the cut. But how smart an octopus is varies a little different from how smart a dolphin is. Their nervous system is very complex, and it comes with a brain packed with neurons that are distributed throughout their arms. Thanks to this, they can move independently and manipulate their way through puzzles and tools. They can open containers, make their way through mazes, and act like other animals. Octopuses learn very quickly because they’ve got large optic lobes that allow them to see well and learn through observation. It doesn’t take a lot for them to adapt to their environment and blend in to hunt and hide.
10. Rats
Have you seen Stuart Little, Flushed Away, or Ratatouille before? If you have, you probably never doubted that rats are intelligent. These little guys have an impressive memory, which allows them to remember routes and places, and they’re very curious. This curiosity leads to learning new skills, like solving puzzles and getting through mazes. They’re masters at adapting, so they’ll immediately start learning new things and adjusting their behavior to match their surroundings.
