How do you measure intelligence in other creatures? You probably won’t see a chicken getting a high score on a chemistry test, but there are other ways to measure intelligence in different animals. Attributes like social intelligence, memory, self-recognition, and even numerical abilities allow certain creatures to demonstrate the true extent of their wits and wisdom. You might already be impressed by the skills of dolphins and apes, but they aren’t the only clever species out there. Check out this list of incredible animals that are smarter than you think.
Vampire Bats
When you think of parasites, you probably don’t picture a community of helpful neighbors. Oddly enough, vampire bats match both of these descriptions. Vampire bats know the importance of sharing with each other. A bat will share food with another, even if the hungry bat isn’t part of its family. Moreover, scientists who studied vampire bats noticed that these creatures were more inclined to share with those who had helped them out in the past.
Chickens
Many people like chickens for their meat or their farm fresh eggs, but there’s much more to these birds than meets the eye. In fact, there’s so much to learn about chicken intelligence that many people have started keeping chickens as household pets rather than barnyard animals. For example, chickens can add, subtract, and count—even when they’re only a few days old. Chickens also possess object permanence, can remember dozens of faces, and dream when they sleep.
Pigs
Chickens aren’t the only brainy barnyard animals. Pigs are fast learners who display problem-solving skills, making them some of the most incredible animals that are smarter than you think. Pigs can even learn symbolic languages, much like apes. In various studies, pigs have shown off their intelligence by putting toys away after they’re done playing, manipulating on-screen cursors in a customized video game, and learning how to navigate a maze full of mirrors. This latter study shows that pigs as young as six weeks old can learn the concept of reflection in just a few hours.