5. Rats
Love them or hate them, rats are on the list too! There is a good reason that they are used in laboratory experiments. They are renowned for navigating mazes, finding loopholes, locating shortcuts, and creating escape routes. Not only can they learn these skills, but they do a decent job of retaining that learned knowledge. Their cognitive abilities seem to be very well developed, and they are quite trainable. They, like most animals on this list, respond best to positive reinforcement.
4. Sheep
We’ve all heard that sayings that refer to sheep as nothing more than mindless creatures who just follow the herd. However, researchers are discovering that sheep have a nearly unmatched sense of instinctive ability and intelligence. When threatened, they will form large groups and flee en masse. Sheep can recall and identify both human and animal faces. In controlled tests, they have learned tasks in about the same amount of time that it took monkeys and humans to complete the same tasks. They have also demonstrated problem solving skills such as overcoming cattle guards.
3. Dolphins
Most of us already know that dolphins are considered very intelligent. They are exceedingly social creatures and can locate family members separated by miles of ocean. They have their very own language with which to communicate. One of the most remarkable facts about dolphins is that they never sleep. Like many on this list, they can recognize themselves in a mirror. They can solve simple problems; they experience a basic range of emotions; and can identify human children from human adults and tend to exhibit more patience and gentleness with children.
2. Elephants
Studies have shown that these gentle giants have the innate ability to use tools in creative methods without prior instruction. They have been observed cleaning their food and using tools in the wild but can also obey commands when in captivity. One of the most notable behaviors of the elephant is their capacity to mourn their dead. They will demonstrate these rituals over several days, and will even repeat them if they pass over the place where a family member died. Their memory is legendary. There is anecdotal evidence that elephant herds share a cultural memory that can even surpass their normally natural instincts. They show signs of being self-aware.
1. Primates (Gorillas and Chimpanzees)
The intelligence of these animals is rivaled only by our own. Because of how closely they resemble humans physically and mentally, they have long transfixed scientists and researchers. They have been successfully taught to use sign language to communicate and can recall the name of individual people that they have not encountered in years. There have even been studies showing that primates such as gorillas and chimpanzees can set goals, remember them for a reasonable amount of time, and follow through when given the opportunity.
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