Have you ever wondered what the Smartest Animals on Earth are? The following list will surely surprise you. People often say ‘dumb as a pig,’ but that’s actually not true. Pigs are one of the smartest animals on the planet. Let’s explore them in the following article from KnowAllAnimals!
1. Top 13 Smartest Animals You Won’t Believe Actually Exist
Do you think that only dolphins, chimpanzees, or dogs are intelligent animals? Get ready to be surprised! The list below will reveal animals with extraordinary intelligence, from tiny creatures to giant animals, that you may have never heard of.
1.13. Parrot
Parrots originate from subtropical and tropical regions. You’ve probably seen a parrot mimic words and talk, and this clearly shows how intelligent they are. Parrots can easily learn almost anything that humans teach them or say in front of them. Parrots like to eat seeds, buds, fruits, and nuts, and they can solve many different complex problems.
1.12. Dog
Dogs are man’s best friend and are incredibly intelligent. They can learn many different actions and repeat them on command. They can easily understand human emotions—when they are sad, happy, or angry. Dogs are so intelligent that they can even act in certain ways to soothe their owners when they are angry and act spoiled.
1.11. Goat
Scientists have long thought that goats are much more intelligent than their humble nature suggests. Finally, a team of researchers in Australia decided to put these animals to the test. For the experiment, they prepared a toolbox with fruit inside. To eat the fruit, a goat had to use its teeth to pull a rope down, which then activated a lever that the goat had to lift with its mouth. If it succeeded, the goat would get to eat the fruit.
9 out of the 12 goats succeeded after about four attempts. When the researchers performed the experiment again with all the goats 10 months later, most of them still remembered how to do it.
1.10. Rat
Ranking in the number 10 spot is the rat, a very intelligent animal that is considered “unclean” in many Western cultures. In a recent extensive study, rats in a lab found shortcuts, loopholes, and escaped from an experimental area designed by the minds of some of today’s top scientists.
In Chinese culture, rats are especially revered for their clever and resourceful nature. Rats can be found on every continent on Earth except for Antarctica.
1.9. Octopus
This invertebrate animal is famous for its ability to unscrew a jar lid. Octopuses are one of the most intelligent creatures living in the ocean. There is still much that science has yet to discover about this animal, but scientists are continuously making new discoveries about the impressive abilities of the octopus.
They have an amazing sense of direction and short-term memory that allows them to “solve” a maze game. But why is it that an animal belonging to the same class of mollusks as a snail has such incredible and intelligent abilities? It may be that in addition to the inherent gray matter of a mollusk, they also have a combination of strength, agility, and curiosity.
1.8. Pigeon
Most major cities in North America have a lot of pigeons, but many people just see them as “nuisances.” However, pigeons are very intelligent birds, which is why they have been the subject of countless scientific experiments.
For example, a pigeon can recognize hundreds of images it saw many years ago. They can also identify themselves in a mirror. Scientists have trained them to perform a series of activities to be able to make a subtle distinction between them and their reflection in a mirror.
1.7. Squirrel
The cunning nature and perfect memory of a squirrel make it the enemy of gardeners. Almost all squirrels have tricks and impressive strategies that help them survive.
First, these intelligent animals have adapted to living near humans. They eat bird food, flowers from gardens, and any food that has been left lying around. They can also store food to eat over many months.
Researchers say that their ability to cleverly and subtly hide food is that of a “potential” thief.
1.6. Pig
Although they are known as gluttonous and “dirty” animals, pigs are actually very intelligent. Both wild and domestic pigs can adapt to many different ecological conditions. At the very least, they are as easy to train as cats and dogs.
Pigs might be the most intelligent domesticated animal in the world. Researchers have found that domestic pigs can use a mirror to find food and trick other pigs into getting more food for themselves.
In the U.S., pigs are very popular pets and are also very easy to train. Unlike most hoofed animals that only eat grass, pigs are omnivores. Their diet sometimes even includes insects and small vertebrates.
1.5. Crow
People call the birds that cross the street without regard for traffic “walking nuisances.” But crows and other members of the crow family understand the importance of waiting for a traffic light signal better than humans do.
Crows that live in the city often collect nuts and then place them on the road for cars to crack open the shells. After that, they patiently wait for the traffic light to change and return to the road to get their tasty treat—an impressive example of animal ingenuity.
Crows can also communicate with locals, play games with them, and can even “deceive” them. Some scientists believe that crows are even more intelligent than primates. Researchers from Canada and Scotland have shown that crows use logical thinking to understand their surroundings much better than many great apes.
1.4. Elephant
In addition to having large ears, the ability to knock over giant logs, and a good memory, elephants are actually quite elegant and cultured animals. They can clean their food and use tools in the wild in many ways. Elephants use tools such as sticks to mark things or palm leaves to swat flies.
They can also follow human commands in captivity. Elephants care deeply for their family members and even other animals.
1.3. Orangutan
Great apes are considered the most intelligent animals after humans. Of course, humans are biased on this issue, but the intellectual abilities of great apes are hard to deny.
Among them, the orangutan has a superior brain. They have a culture and a communication system. They can even use tools in the wild.
Orangutans live in scattered groups and form strong social bonds. This may be the key to their heightened awareness. In addition, female orangutans stay with their young for many years and teach them everything they need to know to survive in the forest.
1.2. Dolphin
Have you ever wondered why dolphins and whales are such popular stars at most aquariums? It’s because they are more intelligent than most other creatures on the planet.
Dolphins are social animals. They have been observed surfing, racing, spinning, and whistling. They have a complex “language” that humans are now beginning to decipher. Dolphins can use tools in the wild and can learn a sequence of behaviors on human command.
Like many other intelligent animals, female dolphins stay with their young for many years and teach them the tricks of survival.
1.1. Chimpanzee
Topping the list of the most intelligent animals is a great ape: the chimpanzee. Their impressive intellectual abilities have long attracted human interest.
They are capable of making and using tools, hunting in groups, and solving a number of complex problems. They can also learn sign language to communicate with humans and, based on that, they can remember a person’s name for many years, even if they don’t see them.
But perhaps the chimpanzee’s most amazing ability is to use symbols for objects and combine symbols in a sequence to convey a complex idea.
2. FAQs
1. How Is Animal Intelligence Measured?
Animal intelligence is typically evaluated based on several criteria, including problem-solving skills, tool use, learning ability, self-awareness, communication skills, and social interaction. Scientists often use behavioral tests and observations in a natural environment to draw conclusions.
2. Why Are Animals Like Dolphins and Elephants Considered Intelligent?
Dolphins and elephants are considered very intelligent because they have large brains, complex social structures, and sophisticated communication skills. Dolphins can use ultrasound to “see” their surroundings, while elephants have excellent memories and can clearly express emotions, including grief.
3. Can This List Change in the Future?
Absolutely. The science of animal intelligence is constantly evolving. As scientists continue to research and make new discoveries, they may find new evidence of intelligence in other species, which could lead to this list being updated and changed in the future.
4. What Is the Smallest Animal on This List?
Although the list usually includes large animals like elephants and dolphins, many studies have shown that some small animals, like certain birds and even insects, also possess incredible intelligence, such as the ability to solve problems or create simple tools.
5. Final Thoughts
The animal world is full of wonders, and their intelligence is one of the greatest mysteries. This list of the 13 Smartest Animals on Earth is just a small part of the diversity and complexity of life. We hope this article from Know All Animals has given you a fresh perspective and a greater appreciation for the rich natural world around us.
