The 10 Most Intelligent Animals in the World – 2022 Rankings

Humans tend to feel too secure at the top of the food chain. It is easy to take for granted that humans are among the most intelligent creatures on the planet, but we don’t think about what makes us different. Are we able to plan, object permanence or social connections? Some animals possess all of these traits, while others have some. Continue reading to learn more about the 10 most intelligent animals in the universe.

#10: Rats

It is no accident that rats were used as research animals for many years. Their brains are small and not as developed as ours. However, they function similarly to humans, and their brain structure is also comparable. They can solve mazes, memorize routes and complete complex multi-step tasks.

Rats can also be social animals. If left alone, rats can develop depression and loneliness. Rats are intelligent because of their social and psychological differences.

#9: Pigeons

Ironically, pigeons rank next on our list. They are commonly known as “flying rats”, but the reasons for their inclusion are quite different. It has been shown that pigeons can recognize their reflections, which signifies a complex sense of self-awareness. Over months or even years, they can recognize people and places. This is why pigeons have been used to transport messages across great distances over the centuries. Pigeons can identify every letter of the English alphabet and recognize differences between people in photos.

#8: Crows

Crows, another intelligent animal, were used as messengers similar to the Pigeon. Crows can use complex group tactics to fight with other animals, such as flanking manoeuvres. Crows can learn speech and have remarkable memory. Researchers have found instances where crows change their migration patterns to avoid dangerous areas. Crows can even memorize garbage routes and schedules to steal food from trucks efficiently.

#7: Pigs

Dogs barely beat pigs in our ranking of the 10 most intelligent animals. Unlike dogs, pigs have a higher intelligence level than dogs. At six weeks old, they can understand the concept of reflection. This is something that can take human children many months to grasp.

#6: Octopi

The octopus was the only invertebrate to make our list. You may be wondering how intelligent an octopus is, as it is the only member of this class. Captive octopi can be observed using high-order planning and several steps to escape captivity. Others can damage objects outside their tank by deliberately splashing water on them repeatedly. They can even throw stones at a glass and open screw-on jars. These cephalopods can be deceivingly clever!

#5: African Grey Pararots

This list includes the African grey parrot, ranked as the most intelligent bird animal. These parrots are as intelligent as five-year-old humans and can learn human speech. They also have a large vocabulary that can include hundreds of words. African greys can also recognize shapes and colours and learn the relationships between larger and smaller, different, and alike.

#4: Elephants

While elephants are often referred to for their memory and intelligence, they are also the most intelligent animals. Elephants are complex social creatures and can be seen participating in funeral ceremonies for their relatives and grieving their loss. Elephants can also use tools to help themselves. They will even eat certain leaves to induce labour and cure illnesses.

#3: Chimpanzees

This list includes our closest genetic relative, who is third on the list. Chimpanzees share 98% of their DNA with humans and are native to sub–Saharan Africa. Chimpanzees are skilled tool users. Chimps can be seen creating tools from existing items to get what they need. They also employ psychological techniques. Within their families, they manipulate other people to achieve certain tasks.

#2: Bottlenose Dolphins

Although many people believe the bottlenose Dolphin to be the smartest, it is number two on this list. How intelligent is a dolphin? It depends on the species. There are more than eight types of dolphins, but the bottlenose dolphin is the only one that made it to the top. They are the largest of all their relatives in brain size and the only dolphin with no fused cervical vertebrae, which allows them to make human-like nodding movements with their heads.

#1: Orangutans

Orangutans are the first on this list for a very good reason. Similar to chimpanzees, the orangutan can use tools and learn sign language. They also have complex social structures that include rituals. Their cognitive ability to comprehend why an action is being performed makes them stand out. An orangutan in captivity was taught how to use tools and build a simple structure. When he was released into the wild, researchers saw the same orangutan using the same tools to create shelter from the rain.