Scientists have found out who is smarter: a chimpanzee, a dog or a dolphin

Scientists tirelessly test various animals in an attempt to find out which of them has the most developed intelligence. Among the candidates for the role of the most intelligent creatures after humans, dolphins, chimpanzees and dogs occupy one of the first positions. The researchers decided to compare these types of mammals in different ways, and this is what they did.

Reflection in the mirror

It turns out that the ability to recognize one’s reflection in a mirror and to identify oneself with a reflection is an important sign of intellectual development. Dolphins and chimpanzees are capable of this, but the dogs, unfortunately, do not understand that the dog on the contrary is their own reflection, and not another individual of their kind.

The meaning of words

If we compare these types of animals by their ability to remember the meaning of words and identify them with certain objects or actions, then chimpanzees will come first. After special trainings and training, it turned out that the dog can remember about 1000 words, bonobo monkeys (primates from the genus of chimpanzees) have a maximum vocabulary of 3000 words, and the best dolphin in this regard achieved only a result of 40 words. Although a number of experiments show that dolphins are able to catch more subtle semantic shades and perceive more complex sentences.

Human pointing gesture

Despite the genetic proximity to humans, chimpanzees are the only ones from this trinity who do not understand the meaning of human pointing gesture. If a dog and a dolphin interpret it as a signal to look in the direction that the finger is pointing and execute a command regarding the subject that the trainer pointed at, then chimpanzees look only at the hand itself, without understanding what they want from them.

Logical Problem Solving

According to researchers, dolphins in this indicator are ahead of their rivals. Dolphins are able to solve some problems faster and in a more practical way than, for example, chimpanzees and dogs.

Communication skills

It is believed that in the matter of communication skills there are no equal to dogs. These animals, who have lived close to humans for centuries, understand people better than others, are able to help hunt and graze sheep, as is done, for example, by collies, considered the most intelligent breed of dogs. But in the case of dolphins, one fact is also known that makes them rivals for dogs. In different corners of the globe, cases of dolphin assistance to people have been repeatedly recorded. For example, dolphins regularly sail to the coast near the Brazilian town of Laguna and help fishermen fish in the net. At the same time, dolphins themselves also get their share of fish. In the case of chimpanzees, such feelings towards humans were not noticed.

It turns out that the dolphin is only inferior to dogs and chimpanzees in the case of memorizing words, and in all other cases takes first place. Of course, intelligence is more than just a series of experiments, and, for the sake of objectivity, it should be noted that humans explore animals based on their ideas about the mind. Nevertheless, some experiments make it possible to judge the mental abilities of our smaller brothers and to identify among them the most quick-witted and close people.