How Much Do You Know About Animal Intelligence? This Quiz Will Surprise You!

A study by Hungarian researchers (NBC News) revealed Border Collies have exceptional word memory. Some in the study even remembered toy names, a rare skill even for this intelligent breed.

Researchers initially underestimated elephant intelligence because they used tests designed for primates, like puzzles that relied on vision. These didn't suit elephants' strengths. Once tests focused on their sense of smell and natural skills, scientists discovered elephants are excellent problem-solvers and tool users (Scientific American).

Scientists believe chimps are self-aware because they recognize themselves in mirrors. They use mirrors to remove bugs and groom themselves (and each other), proving that they understand the image reflects their own body (Scientific American).

Researchers found that crowds hold grudges (NPR)! If they're mistreated while someone wears a specific mask, they'll recognize and attack that mask later, even upside-down. They warn other crows, showing impressive memory and communication.

Studies show cats are smarter than we often give them credit for. They can recognize their names, differentiating them from other words (Nature, 2019). They also value human interaction more than their aloof reputation suggests (Behavioral Processes, 2017).

Octopuses are incredibly smart, and famous for escaping aquarium tanks. They're so clever, some aquariums provide puzzle boxes with food inside to keep them entertained (CBS8).

National Geographic reports that raccoons are excellent problem-solvers and resourceful creatures. They can adapt to their surroundings, using their clever hands to their advantage. This allows them to find food and thrive in both urban and rural environments.

Orcas are remarkably intelligent hunters! They use powerful bio-sonar to detect a Chinook salmon from half a football field away (The Orlando Sentinel). Studies also show they have rich cultures and complex social structures, proving their impressive mental abilities.

Worker bees are amazingly industrious! According to Sioux Honey, they can visit a whopping 2,000 flowers each day. Even though they can't carry much from each flower, they still manage to pollinate between 50 and 100 flowers daily.

New research suggests that gorillas might have been smarter than our 3-million-year-old ancestors, the Australopithecines. Scientists at the University of Pretoria discovered that Australopithecine brains had smaller blood vessels compared to gorillas. Professor Roger Seymour explains that these smaller vessels indicate lower blood flow, suggesting a lower metabolic rate in Australopithecus brains. A higher metabolic rate in gorillas, as evidenced by larger blood vessels, might imply greater cognitive abilities.

An African gray parrot named Griffin impressed researchers by acing a logic test, according to The Harvard Gazette. The test involved finding a hidden reward under one of several overturned cups. Cognitive psychologist Irene Pepperberg suggests this ability reflects real-world decision-making for parrots, like choosing foraging locations based on where they've seen others find food.

Orangutans, alongside humans, stand out among primates for their ability to warn their young about unseen threats. Unlike other tool-using and intelligent primates, orangutans exhibit "displaced reference," as reported by Smithsonian Magazine. In an experiment, mothers quietly led their offspring away from researchers disguised as tigers and only then vocalized warnings. This ability to communicate about dangers beyond immediate perception was previously thought to be unique to humans.

Squirrels display remarkable intelligence, relying on more than just smell to survive. As Atlas Obscura reports, studies confirm they remember where they bury their food. They also demonstrate problem-solving skills, using multiple strategies to access locked containers and learn quickly by observing other squirrels.

A 2021 study in Royal Society Open Science revealed a remarkable communication system in bottlenose dolphins. The experiment involved cooperative button-pushing, where even a one-second delay meant failure. Despite this challenge, the dolphins succeeded by using precise, timed whistles to coordinate their actions.

Otters, known for their tool use, carry rocks tucked under their arms. This loose skin flap, according to the US Department of Interior, serves as a handy storage compartment for both their tools and foraged food.

Contrary to popular belief, goldfish possess surprisingly long memories! Research by Culum Brown at Macquarie University highlights their intelligence. Goldfish can recognize old friends after months and recall solutions to puzzles they've solved previously. Their memory abilities even serve as a benchmark for studying memory in other fish.

Cows are far more complex than we often realize. As reported by The Guardian, they build strong friendships, even with other species, and demonstrate caring behaviors like babysitting. They're surprisingly resourceful, capable of opening gates and even self-medicating with specific plants when unwell.

Surprisingly, rats can outperform humans in certain pattern recognition tasks. Researcher Ben Vermaercke (Harvard Business Review) found that while rats and humans were equally adept at rule-based pattern identification, rats excelled when the rules changed. Their adaptability allowed them to learn more quickly, demonstrating that they weren't hindered by a rigid search for rules.

Sperm whales rapidly adapted to whaling threats, making them increasingly difficult to catch. A 2021 Biology Letters study reveals that within a few years of whaling in a new area, successful harpoon strikes dropped by a staggering 58%. These intelligent whales learned to recognize whaling ships, flee effectively, and even counterattack. This knowledge spread throughout their communities, making hunting far less successful over time

Sea lions possess remarkable intelligence. The American Psychological Association notes their ability to recognize when others possess knowledge that they lack. Unlike many animals who misinterpret pointing gestures, sea lions understand the intention behind it – they follow the direction indicated rather than fixating on the finger itself.