It wasn’t so long ago that animals weren’t seen as particularly bright beings. Except for maybe chimps and dolphins - we always knew those guys were up to something (taking over the planet? Forming an itty-bitty dolphin committee? Who knows). But now, thanks to YouTube videos and progress in science, we can be pretty certain that animals are, in fact, sentient beings capable of solving tasks, using tools, and even displaying human-like emotions. Now, that said, not all of them are made equally, and some smart animals are even smarter than the rest. Want to meet the most intelligent animals on planet earth? Well then, you’re in luck, for this is our article dedicated to the smartest animals in the world!
Now, in this nifty smart animals list, you’ll absolutely meet the ones that are the most likely contenders. Think bonobos, chimpanzees, dolphins, and crows. However, some contenders might come as a surprise to you! Did you know that honey badgers are also capable of using tools or that pigeons can recognize themselves as well as memorize and differentiate human faces? Pretty impressive, right? That said, animal intelligence might come off on rather different terms from the ones we share as humans, but if you need a comparison to grasp just how smart some of these most intelligent animals are, most of them are just as capable as 4-to-5-year-old human kids, while some exceed it tremendously! That’s so smart, it’s actually a bit spooky.
Now, this list will present the animals ranked by intelligence; however, if you’d like to change it up a bit, give the animals you like the most your vote, and they will find their way to the top of this list. And once you’re done reading, be sure to share this list with your friends!
#21 Bonobo
Although very similar in appearance, Bonobos are said to be slightly more intelligent than chimpanzees. And while chimps are better at using tools, bonobos excel at solving tasks requiring understanding social causality. How's that for smart!
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21points
#22 Lions
Although we're used to thinking of them as the kings of the jungle (although they aren't even from the jungle) because of their impressive looks, they are actually so because of their intelligence! One of the clearest signs to determine intelligence is an animals' ability to learn by observing, and that's what lions do.
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21points
#23 Rat
Nobody would expect it from a measly rodent, but rats are actually excellent at learning and understanding concepts. And, although they are tiny compared to dogs, they might be just as bright!
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20points
#24 Giraffe
Although seemingly slow and quiet, giraffes are actually highly intelligent animals. One of the tell-tale signs of their intelligence is their ability to adapt to changes in external stimuli in a very timely manner. Some scientists even say that giraffes are just as smart as elephants!
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20points
#25 Honey Badger
Both ruthless and intelligent, honey badger takes an honorable place on our list. Honey badgers can solve complex problems and are one of only a few non-primate species known to use tools. Crossing them would not be a good idea!
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19points
#26 Portia Spider
Although Portia spider might seem like an unlikely candidate to this list, they are, in fact, capable of learning and problem-solving!
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18points
#27 Baboon & Mandrill
Although not as bright as chimps or gorillas, baboons and mandrills are very intelligent animals. Their intelligence compares to that of human toddlers and although they seem loud and rambunctious (both toddlers and baboons), they are excellent problem-solvers.
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17points
#28 African Hunting Dog
An African hunting dog is not your regular couch potato. In fact, these pupperinos show high levels of intelligence and show behaviors that support the health of the whole pack, instead of just one individual. No egoism here!
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17points
#29 Pigeon
Although many people consider pigeons a winged nuisance, they are brilliant birds! They are one of only a few species capable of recognizing themselves, besides being able to recognize the letters of a human alphabet, differentiate between images, and even distinguish different humans within a photograph!
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17points
#30 Mice
Similar to rats, mice are highly intelligent rodents. They can even remember who their family is and form bonds with them!
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17points
#31 Falcon
Not only falcons can boast about the extraordinary speeds they can travel at, their acute vision, and physical abilities, but they are also highly intelligent birds!
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17points
#32 Hyena
This might come as a surprise to you, but some studies suggest that hyenas are just as intelligent as chimps! Maybe it's time we've stopped portraying them as silly and filthy, don't you think?
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16points
#33 Ant
Individual ants have tiny little brains, but once together in a colony, the form mass can exhibit remarkable intelligence. When working as a team, ants can navigate long distances, find food, communicate, care for their young, and avoid predators. Oh, and always seem to know when the spring is coming!
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16points
#34 Goats
In the world of animals, you can be sure that mischievousness equals intelligence! Studies say goats are just as smart as dogs, can solve problems, and form relationships. That said, they always seem to get into the most curious predicaments!
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16points
#35 California Scrub Jay
A California scrub jay's brain-to-body mass ratio rivals that of chimpanzees, and we all know that the bigger this mass ratio is, the smarter the animal. So, it's no wonder that California scrub jays have earned an honorable place on our list.
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15points
