Battle of the Brains

Not all gamers are human. Last year, researchers trained four pigs to play a simple video game. The pigs learned to use their snouts to move a joystick. If they hit a target on the screen, they got a reward. 

These pigs are just one example of brainy animals. Scientists don’t all agree on what proves an animal is smart. Using tools, solving problems, and learning skills are often seen as signs of intelligence. Here are some animals that scientists rank among the smartest.

Not all gamers are human. Last year, researchers trained four pigs to play a video game. The pigs learned to use their snouts to move a joystick. If they hit a target on the screen, they got a reward. 

These pigs are just one example of animals being brainy. Scientists don’t all agree on what makes an animal smart. But using tools, solving problems, and learning new skills are often seen as signs of intelligence. Here are some animals that scientists rank among the smartest.

Elephants have the largest brains of any land animal. And here’s proof that they know how to use them! An elephant in a zoo in Washington, D.C., couldn’t reach a piece of hanging fruit. So it moved a box under the tree. Then it stood on the box to grab the fruit. Elephants use their trunks to grasp tools too. For example, they swat flies with branches.

They also have amazing memories. African elephants can find the way to water sources they haven’t visited in years.

Elephants have the largest brains of any land animal. An elephant at a zoo in Washington, D.C., couldn’t reach a hanging piece of fruit. So it rolled a box under the tree. It stood on the box to grab the fruit.

In the wild, elephants use their trunks to hold tools. They scratch their backs with long sticks. And they swat flies with tree branches! They also have amazing memories. African elephants can remember water spots they haven’t visited in years.

Great apes are known for their smarts. The group includes gorillas and chimpanzees. 

In 1960, chimps were the first animals observed using tools. They were in Tanzania, a country in Africa. Researchers watched the chimps use sticks to scoop termites from mounds. The skill is known as termite fishing. Chimps often learn it by watching others. That’s a clear sign of intelligence. 

In 2017, a few chimps in Japan learned to play rock-paper-scissors. They were as good at it as a 4-year-old kid!

Chimpanzees are part of a group called great apes. This group also includes gorillas and orangutans. They’re all known for their smarts. 

In 1960, chimps were the first animals observed using tools. This happened in Tanzania, a country in Africa. Wild chimps use sticks to scoop termites from their mounds. This is known as termite fishing. Chimps learn this by watching others. That’s a sign of intelligence. 

In 2017, a group of chimps in Japan learned to play rock-paper-scissors. They could play as well as a 4-year-old kid!

The veined octopus was the first invertebrate to be observed using tools. It carries seashells or broken coconut shells. The animal hides inside—either for protection or to sneak up on its prey. 

Speaking of sneaky, an octopus in an aquarium in New Zealand made a daring escape. In 2016, it squirmed through a tiny opening in its tank. Then it scooted across the floor. Finally, it wiggled down a pipe that led to the ocean.

The octopus was the first invertebrate to be seen using tools. It carries seashells or broken coconut shells. The animal hides inside. They do this for protection or to sneak up on prey. 

In 2016, an octopus in an aquarium in New Zealand escaped. It squirmed through a tiny opening in its tank. Then it scooted across the floor. Finally, it wiggled down a narrow pipe that led out to the ocean.