Jan. 22/2020

Feature:

5 Clever Critters

“1. Pigs

They have incredibly long term memories & are quick problem-solvers…They also exhibit human-like empathy toward their penmates.

                                   

 2. Dolphins

Dolphins have ‘highly developed spoken language’ skills, with a brain 4-5 times bigger than other animals their body size. They’re hugely social;communicating with personalized sounds known as ‘signature whistles’.

                                            

3. Crows

Craftsmen of their own tools, they can make innovative spears & hooks from any old rubbish. These birds are serious problem-solvers, too, with expert recognition skills & so, unnervingly, can hold grudges…They even develop their own their own dialect.

                                               

4. Elephants

Elephants show human-like traits such as empathy & mourning. African elephants can also distinguish between humans…including gender, age, & ethnicity, by listening to our voices.

                                              

5. Chimps

Since Jane Goodall studied the habits of wild Tanzanian chimpanzees, we’ve discovered they can learn language, use tools, & mourn just like us humans.

                                                

…& the 5 Stupidest

1. Dogs

Looking at more than 300 studies on the intelligence of canines, researchers found several cases of ‘over-interpretation,’ with owners often thinking their dogs was smarter than it really was.

 

2. Kakapos

This New Zealand native is a flightless parrot. Having evolved in an area with no predators & ample food, they have had no reason to develop their brains. When sensing danger, they either hold completely still or jump out of trees, only to land in a heap on the ground.

                                  

3. Pandas

They may tug on our heartstrings, but this ‘vulnerable’ creature is among the least-motivated animals when it comes to mating, raising young & even being carnivores.

4. Turkeys

Their widely spaced eyes & clumsy walking style had led to the turkey’s dim-witted reputation.
                                                      

5. Koalas

Koalas have one of the smallest brain-to-body ratios of any animal. If you presented a koala with a eucalyptus already plucked from a tree, it wouldn’t be able to recognize that it is still edible.”  
                                               

The Gazette, Montreal

Oct. 25/2018

Cute Critter Pic

Weekly Chuckle