Chimpanzees and Gorillas have complex social systems and exhibit astonishing mental prowess, including the ability to learn sign language.
The famous playfulness of dolphins is evidence of a robust intelligence that also shows up in their language and their emotional ties to one another.
Cephalopods, which include octopi, squid, and cuttlefish, seem to actively entertain themselves to avoid boredom. They are also highly curious and capable of utilizing objects as tools.
A certain gray parrot named Alex was able to recognize visual and tactile traits of objects, as well as keep track of numbers in his head.
The crab-eating macaque uses its tail to catch crabs. It also uses rocks to crack open shellfish.
The problem-solving ability of the crow is remarkable; some have been known to bend pieces of wire with their beaks to use as hooks for fetching food.
Squirrels can precisely recall the location of hundreds of hidden nuts using a type of three-dimensional mental map.
Pigs are both clean and smart. Their habit of rolling around in the mud is an ingenious way to keep cool, since they have no sweat glands.
Elephants show signs of grief over the loss of loved ones, bury their dead, and have the ability to recognize their reflection in a mirror.
Our canine pals are smarter than we might sometimes think. Dogs exhibit the ability to understand non-verbal cues and perhaps form basic concepts.