Animals are much smarter than we think

Animals are much smarter than we think

Since I was a child, I firmly believe that animals are much more intelligent than we think. And that we human beings, as a species, are being too arrogant. Scientific evidence proves that our planet is not the epicenter of the solar system, but today it also shows that we are not the only center of intelligence.

But what are considered levels of intelligence? How and who defines them? Do you think some animals are much smarter than some people?

Throughout my experiences, I think so. The fact that animals cannot speak or read, for example, does not automatically indicate that they cannot think or feel. By comparing one species of animal to another, or even to humans, we can see different degrees of intelligence.

So we are fooling ourselves into thinking that, for thousands of years, we are smarter than the rest of the animal kingdom. And that, despite mounting evidence these days to the contrary. Of course, I don’t deny that we human animals are smart about doing what needs to be done to survive. But other species can be much more intelligent than us, believe or think.

intelligence is relative
Many animals have exceptional brains, but many of their abilities are simply misunderstood by most people. Now there are facts that crows, dogs, octopuses or koalas just to name a few reveal superior intelligence. It is a general truth in the animal kingdom. In some cases, animals possess greater reasoning powers than any human being. So some of them are probably a lot smarter.

And some of their actions or behaviors cannot be considered merely instincts. When we look at various animals, we are often unable to do what they do. Sometimes the way they act or the things they do are very complicated, like a bat flying in the dark. These creatures can capture flying insects in the air directly with echolocation.

Therefore, not only instinct but a lot of brainpower is needed to pull off such a feat. However, we do not pay attention to this kind of thing because we think it is irrelevant. Most people do not evaluate the abilities of animals, but rather compare them to our own in terms of intelligence. As long as they cannot reason, speak, or read, then they must not be as bright as we are.

Describing who is much smarter
Throughout the centuries, the ruling classes, from religion to scholars, repeat the same belief: “We humans are incomparable because we are the most intelligent beings in the animal kingdom.” They also pretend that animals do not have souls or feelings. However, science and life show us that animals have feelings, a soul and reasoning powers that make them much more intelligent than we think.

So this belief of thinking that we are superior in intelligence goes back about ten thousand years. It began when man created agriculture, farms, and the domestication of animals. It then gained momentum with the beliefs of the religion, which viewed humans as the primary species in creation.

But does it mean that our intelligence is at a higher level? Of course not; they are just different types. When a foreigner tries to speak to you using an imperfect, faulty or broken version of your language, your first impression is that he is not very smart. But the truth is completely different.

The unconditional love of animals
When it comes to animals, they are much smarter than we give them credit for. They’re just smart on their own terms, which are often nothing like yours or mine. I think we can learn many things from them, such as love, empathy and compassion. So when they care, you can witness that they really do; It’s not just a fake disguise like humans do.

From the animal kingdom, some of these beings love humans unconditionally. However, many people still abuse and mistreat that affection. When something happens to us, animals do not look down on us, push us aside or suddenly decide not to love us anymore. That attitude just shows that they are much smarter than us.

No matter the circumstances, they are by our side until the end and too often we take this for granted. However, some people have no problem getting rid of an animal when it no longer fits into their life or schedule. And we are supposed to be the most intelligent species on this planet; think again!

the intelligence of animals
Every day our pets communicate with us through their demands and force us to do the things they want. The animal world is much more complicated than we seem to believe or think. My father is a racehorse trainer, so I grew up surrounded by horses and lived for many years in an apartment above a racehorse stable. Cats and dogs were also an integral part of my life as in any standard equine stable.

In the 60s there were no smartphones or sophisticated cameras to make videos in seconds. But all my life I witnessed the behaviors, intelligence and memory tricks of animals. The following story is a perfect example of this.

One day my father bought a racehorse named “Murdoch” in another town twenty miles away. After a few days, he took the horse to the track for training. As he galloped, a tractor made a huge noise that startled the animal, and his driver fell off. The horse, then alone, ran across the track and jumped the barrier disappearing into the forest.

A story of being much smarter
It was time to get in the car. I rode, beside my father, to look for the horse. We searched everywhere but without success. A few hours later, on our way back to the barn, the former owner called. Amazed, she told my dad that the animal was on his ranch.

So, it meant that the horse galloped through paths and forests to return to its previous stable without a single scratch. Somehow, he figured out how to make twenty miles of uncharted territory and return the way he came. Not only did the horse do this, but thanks to cameras around the ranch, we were able to see how he entered the horse farm.

Arriving at the main entrance, the animal saw that it was closed. So he went around the back, pushed open the small door and climbed the steps that stood in his way. So he found an open stall, went in and waited there, knowing it was the only home he knew.

Animals are much smarter
Animals are amazing and deserve as much respect as people for their memory, intelligence, tenacity and unconditional love.

  • Horses, dogs, and cats, among many species that spend time with people, can pick up on body language cues that you or I don’t pay attention to.
  • Primates, like chimpanzees, can easily beat people by remembering a series of numbers they saw for a fraction of a second.
  • Octopuses learn to open the child-resistant caps on medicine bottles, which many of us can’t unlock.
  • Bats map space with echolocation and sonar.
  • Birds discover and understand the complex mechanics of flying and landing.
  • Ravens, depicted in horror movies for stupid reasons, are not only among the smartest birds, they are far smarter than most creatures. They can perform tasks that three- and four-year-olds have trouble doing.

animals have feelings

Although they have different brain structures, experts estimate that animals such as crows and apes manage and use a combination of mental tools. It even includes imagination and anticipation of possible future events so they can solve problems.

Once again I saw some ravens learning how to use cars to crack nuts. They wait patiently at intersections while watching the traffic lights. Thus, when the traffic stops, they recover a nut crushed by the vehicles, which they have placed on the road earlier.

Also, it is now evident that the elephants are grieving. Most mammals feel joy, love, and sadness or suffering. Once, in Ukraine, my mother-in-law took home a stray cat that lived in a hospital. He was not a little kitten but an adult cat. The cat now lived in his country house fifteen miles from the hospital, and he seemed unhappy.

Give credit to animals
One day, she opened the door and the cat flew past her, fleeing into the fields. Ten days later, thinking that she had lost the animal forever, she appeared on the hospital floor. The animal had lost a lot of weight and appeared to be suffering from a minor injury, but was alive. She had found her way home through the fields and against incredible odds.

So, human beings must stop this obsession with comparing animals with human aptitudes. We choose things we are good at, like technology or language. And then we intelligently associate it with other species in our world. But animals are much smarter than we think. So let’s think twice before making any assumptions and give them the credit they deserve.

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