Imagine walking into school feeling anxious or overwhelmed, only to be greeted by a gentle, loving dog ready to comfort you. That’s exactly what Hero, a special therapy dog, does for students.
Category Archives: Animal Intelligence
Tool Use Found in Octopuses
When we think of intelligent animals, we usually think of mammals, such as dolphins and dogs. So it might be surprising to learn that a creature that seems much more primitive—the octopus—is capable of planning, strategizing, and using tools.
The CIA’s Most Highly-Trained Spies Weren’t Even Human
Pigeons that guide missiles to their targets? Cats that spy on secret meetings? Trained spiders? Read this article to learn why Bob Bailey, the first director of the Navy’s dolphin training program, says he’s never found an animal he couldn’t train—and find out what his animals have been trained to do.
Harnessing the Military Power of Animal Intelligence
In the 1990s, the U.S. Navy revealed that sea lions and dolphins were being used to find and retrieve valuable equipment from the sea floor. These animals are also being trained to help clear mines and to protect our harbors. Read to learn about the secret uses of marine mammals!
Pigcasso: Pot-Bellied Pig Produces Award-Winning Art In Mokelumne Hill
Pigs are known for being highly intelligent animals, but this pig is known for her creativity, too.
Dogs Know When You’re Praising Them. That Doesn’t Mean They Understand Human Speech
How much of what you say to your dog is really understood?
New Zealand’s Sea Lions Have Returned: Crashing Soccer Games, Golf Courses, and Public Pools
Read about how these endangered sea lions are repopulating New Zealand in a big way.
What Is Your Dog Thinking? A Psychological Guide
Do dogs love each other? Do they feel guilty about the rotten things they sometimes do? Read Stanley Coren’s article to find the answers, and, while you’re at it, discover how to laugh like a dog, interpret a dog’s barks, and tell what a wagging tail really means.
How Highly Trained Anti-Poaching Dogs Are Saving Rhinos In Africa
Thanks to the efforts of these highly skilled dogs, rhinos at the Mankwe Wildlife Reserve are safer from poachers than ever before.
Can You Teach a Goldfish to Drive?
You may not be able to teach a fish how to climb a tree, but can you teach it to drive? Read about this remarkable study to find out.
Chimpanzees apply ‘medicine’ to each others’ wounds in a possible show of empathy
Learn how chimpanzees use insects to treat wounds and care for others.
Scientists: Octopuses Love to Fling Objects at Each Other
Next time you throw something at a sibling or friend in annoyance, think about how this is an example of advanced social dynamics. Read about how octopuses are capable of this act as well.
Monkeys Can Do Math
Even though they aren’t in a math class, rhesus macaques can be trained to connect numerical values with symbols and give the correct answers to math problems. Dig deeper into the study about how monkeys learn.
Study: Ants create stable tunnels in nests, much like humans play Jenga
Studies have shown exactly how ants dig their sturdy tunnels. Ants may have tiny brains, but their tunnels are a feat of engineering.
A person or a thing? Inside the fight for animal personhood
Happy the elephant is in the middle of a monumental court case with far-reaching consequences.
Pigs Can Learn to Play Video Games When Tempted by Treats
With the right incentive, pigs can be taught to play simple video games. Will this experiment pave the way for swine-filled gaming lobbies in your next online multiplayer experience?
10 of the Smartest Animals on Earth
Don’t underestimate squirrels and ducks when it comes to intelligence. Click here to read more.
Chimps Can’t Cook, But Maybe They’d Like To
According to new research, chimps have all the brainpower needed to cook — except for the ability to control fire. Read about it here.
These Are the 11 Smartest Cat Breeds
Although dogs often get more credit for their smarts, cats also display some intelligent characteristics. Read about the 11 smartest cat breeds.
Dolphins have developed similar personality traits to humans
New research has discovered that dolphins share personality traits with humans despite evolving in a drastically different environment. Read about the interesting ways in which dolphins are similar to us.