Human beings are intelligent and intellectual creatures. They can judge between right and wrong. They take their own decisions, feel varied emotions, and make the most out of their lives. They also tend to feel superior about their position at the top of the food chain.
We human beings often go overboard thinking they are the smartest creatures on the planet. But do you know, other animal species, too, possess traits the same as us? They are brainy, active, and can also judge right and wrong.
What are the Smartest Animals in the world?
Curious about finding the smartest animals in the world? Read on to know everything.
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Octopus
It is the only invertebrate animal on the list of the most intelligent animals in the world. Octopus has a great tendency to escape from captivity. An octopus is clever and highly strategic.
From intentionally splashing water on its attackers to using its tentacles rightly, an octopus knows how to protect itself from its prey. Octopi can even throw a rock at the glass and also have the ability to open the jars, no matter how tightly you lock their screw-on lids.
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Squirrel
A squirrel is cute and agile. It also happens to be one of the intelligent animals in the world. What makes it stand out from all the other animals is its impeccable memory. Many researchers have already established that a squirrel is a cunning creature that displays a series of tricks and strategies to survive.
For instance, squirrels can adapt to living alongside humans, eating out of the flower gardens, bird feeders, and playing carefree. A squirrel can dig holes in minutes and pretend to hide its food. Not only this, but you may also see it running off to other secret places to stash its food. They use many tricks and techniques to find their food.
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Elephant
This mammoth creature is not only powerful but intelligent as well. Elephants are believed to be having sharp memory. It makes them one of the smartest animals. They are actively social among their family and have also been witnessed participating in the funeral rites of the departed members of their family.
They feel the emotions related to grief and mourn over it. Elephants also use tools and techniques to medicate themselves. Sometimes, they get playful – see them bathing in the river. To brag more about its qualities and smartness, an elephant will sacrifice itself for the protection of its herd and its children’s safety. They are altruists by nature.
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Chimpanzee
Chimpanzees are our closest genetic relatives. No doubt they are among the smartest species of animals in the world. They share 98 percent of DNA with human beings. Thus, expect to see many human-like behavioral patterns in them. Chimpanzees are expert tool users. Not only this, but they can also improvise the tools to put them to good use.
They have brilliant psychological techniques. According to research, chimpanzees make incredible manipulators. They can easily manipulate their family members to accomplish any task. They have excellent grasping power. They are experts at teaching their young ones sign language. Their sign language conversations are a treat to watch.
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Orangutan
Similar to chimpanzees, orangutans, too, have many qualities that make them one of the smartest species on the planet. They can understand the complex social structure with great ease, thanks to their grasping power. They can use tools, learn sign language, and then teach it to their little ones.
The cognitive ability to understand why a particular thing is done makes them a subject of research. They can improvise tools and are good at hunting food. Orangutans have a super cute smile. They can be trained to use a hammer and nails. They can also use a hose to siphon liquids. Sadly, they are experiencing loss of habitat which is slowly drifting this species to extinction.
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Crow
Many studies and research have called crows one of the smartest animals on the planet today. Talk about animal innovation and the mention of this species is a must. Crows are so active and brainy. They understand the change of light of the traffic signals. Sometimes, they may as well understand human behavior.
According to a study, crowns entertain demonstrated abilities to create different tools. Their sharp memory helps them identify animals and people, and sometimes they use this skill to their advantage, especially when such humans or animals try to harm them or their flock. One study suggested that the reasoning power of this bird is similar to that of a 7-year-old. Crows are revengeful. They tend to communicate with one another and play games and tricks.
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Dolphin
This animal is a star attraction in many aquariums. They are cute and intelligent. They are counted among the smartest animals on the planet. Dolphins are playful and social too. They can surf, race, leap, spin, whistle, and enjoy themselves in the ocean.
They have a sophisticated language. Various research has been carried out to understand this language to interact with the animal. They teach their young ones all kinds of tricks, trades, and even survival skills. Female dolphins make great mothers to their little ones. One study suggested that they also have impressive grasping power. They tend to learn a series of commands from their human trainers.
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Rat
For many years, rats have been used as laboratory research animals. Their brain may be small and under-developed, but it functions similarly to human brain. Rats can figure out mazes, perform step-by-step tasks, memorize routes, and escape their attackers.
They are highly social. According to research, when rats are left alone, they may show signs of loneliness and depressions. Not only this, some studies have even laid down that they can be smarter than humans in some instances. They love to show off their skills by learning new tricks. Rats also purr and giggle to show off their happy mood.
9. Pig
Many researchers have called domesticated pigs the smartest animals in the animal kingdom. They display an array of intelligence traits. Pigs can solve mazes just like humans. Alongside this, they also respond well to emotions and understand them deeply. They are good at grasping the concept of reflection at an age younger than human beings.
The smartness of pigs has been tested at many levels by scientists and researchers. They lay down that pigs understand abstract representations. They use their skills for different tasks. The best quality about this species is that they tend to out-compete native species wherever they are taken. A pig can survive in any environment, thanks to its smartness, intelligence, and ability to adapt.
10. Pigeon
Just like a crow, a pigeon, too, is touted as one of the smartest species on the planet today. Pigeons are ubiquitous, and because of this, they tend to adapt to all environments. Often seen in flocks, they perform well to the commands. They can also spot correspondence between pictures and objects and are good at recognizing individual human faces.
Put a mirror in front of the pigeon, and it will get the most playful. It is because pigeons can identify themselves in front of the mirror. They are super-intelligent birds. Many of their abilities and qualities speak tons about their intelligence level, compared to other species. Besides this, pigeons are also good at socializing.
11. Grey Parrot
Almost all parrots are known to be intelligent. They are great imitators and act playful if surrounded by their favorite humans. The Grey parrot, specifically, is considered one of the smartest species on the planet. An African grey parrot can easily recognize colors, shapes, and sizes. If trained, this bird can also speak English words.
Grey parrots often have a good understanding of different concepts. Apart from mugging up things, they are keen birds who try to observe things and then imitate them. It’s good to pet an African Grey Parrot!
12. Cat
You may want to call them ignorant, but cats happen to be one of the most intelligent species. A cat can differentiate between things and also has a sharp memory. If they like someone, they start behaving very cuddly around them. If not, cats often turn a blind eye to them.
They are playful. But some scientists suggest that cats are hard to study. While domesticated cats are often known as intelligent creatures, wild cats cannot be the same. Nevertheless, all of them possess one thing in common – curiosity.
13. Dog
A man’s best friend is also one of the smartest species on the planet. Domesticated dogs use their intelligence to relate with their humans. They can understand and respond very well to emotions. Dogs also show empathy towards their favorite human beings and fellow pets.
According to a study, dogs have a human-like behavior in many ways. They can respond well to various human gestures and understand eye movements without training. Dogs have a sharp memory.
These animals have sharp brains and curious personalities. For more updates and information, stay connected.
