1.Chimpanzee
Topping our list of smartest animals is another great ape, the chimpanzee. The impressive intellectual abilities of this animal have long fascinated humans. Chimps can learn the language to communicate with humans and remember the name sign for individuals they have not seen for several years. Like some other animals on this list, chimps can also recognize themselves in mirrors and show signs of caring and mourning.
But perhaps the most amazing feature of the chimpanzee ability to use symbols of objects and combine the symbols in a sequence to convey a complex idea. Such intellectual gifts are probably central to maintaining this animal's complex social groups, forming strong bonds, and observing elaborate hierarchical structures.
Researchers from Iowa State University and the University of Cambridge observed chimps in the wild, involved in the step-by-step process of making spears to hunt. Chimps are also known to use tools to crack open nuts and remove termites out of logs. They are capable of advanced problem-solving, and they know when they have a test. Ready to be amazed? Here's a video of chips outperforming humans at a memory task.
2.Dolphin
Have you ever wondered why dolphins and killer whales are the star attraction at most aquariums? It's because they're smarter than almost any other creatures on the planet. But you probably already knew this if you watched the films featuring Flipper and Willy. Dolphins are extremely social animals. Schools of dolphins can be observed in the world's oceans surfing, racing, leaping, spinning, whistling, and otherwise enjoying themselves. They also have a sophisticated "language," though humans have only begun to unravel it.
Like many of the most intelligent animals on Earth, dolphin females remain with their young for several years, teaching them all the tricks of the dolphin trade. Dolphins use tools in their natural environment and learn an impressive array of behavioral commands from human trainers. In fact, The U.S. Navy trained. Bottlenose dolphin to find explosive mines underwater.
A dolphin's brain is four to five times larger than expected for its body size. They can recognize themselves in a mirror and comprehend and follow instructions. They also have sonar built into their DNA.
3.Orangutan
The great apes are considered the smartest creatures after humans. Of course, humans are biased in this regard, but the intellectual capacity of the great apes is difficult to deny. After all, we share over 96 percent of the same DNA. Orangutans stand out as being especially gifted in the brain's department. In fact, they can weigh costs and benefits when exchanging goods, similar to humans.
Orangutans have a strong culture and system of communication, and many have been observed using tools in the wild. In one study, adult orangutans performed better than children at making and using tools.
4.Elephant
The first thing you notice when you see an elephant is their enormous size. But contrary to popular perception, elephants are more than just lumbering giants with big ears. In fact, elephants are quite elegant, cultured, curious, and have good memories. So much so, they can recognize up to 30 relatives from their urine scents – proving useful for elephants to keep track of one another.
They have been known to clean their food and use tools in various ways in the wild, and they can also follow human commands in captivity. Elephants are also extremely caring and empathetic to other group members and to other species, which is considered a highly advanced form of intelligence.
5.Pig
Despite a reputation for gluttony and poor hygiene, pigs are actually brilliant animals. Both domestic and wild species are known for their ability to adapt to various ecological conditions. Unlike most other ungulates, which are strictly herbivorous, pigs and their relatives are omnivores with a diet that sometimes includes worms and bugs. Wherever they have been introduced around the world, pigs tend to out-compete the native species. Though devastating to the native species, this trend is yet another strong indication of pig cleverness.
In fact, young piglets can learn to use mirrors to find a path to their hidden food bowl. When researchers placed the food bowl behind a solid barrier, which was only visible in the mirror, seven out of the eight pigs found their food. Not only were they able to solve the concept of reflection within five hours, but pigs can also understand instructions given to them by humans.
There's a reason certain domestic pigs have become a favorite pet in the U.S. — pigs are as trainable as cats and dogs.
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