Pigs, apparently, are the fourth smartest animals on Earth. I’m not sure what the criteria was, whether it was cognitive skills, language or social skills, but I’m not getting that from a reputable source (Kenny Hotz) xD
Pigs can be taught to use their snouts as cursors and they are able to select scribbles that are unfamiliar to them. I personally don’t understand how this would make them that high on the list…
Dolphins HAVE to be second to humans! They have languages. NAMES! Dolphins have names! To me, language is the most remarkable thing about humans; the fact that we were able to sit in a cave and form these complex sounds and teach them to others and begin forming these long languages and developing the written word even!
Elephants are able to distinguish themselves in mirrors, something that only three or four species can do. I don’t think dogs are included… My dog just stared at herself in the mirror highly confused by what she was seeing.
On that note, dogs are remarkable creatures as well! Dogs are the ONLY animal that can pick up on the subtle facial cues of humans! No wonder they’re man’s best friend!
And to clarify, because I don’t want ‘sexist hate mail’, I say ‘man’s’ as in ‘mankind’, which includes females. Not that I’m insinuating that dogs are better friends to women than diamonds :p