In the contest for the title of smartest animal on the planet, Chimps received first place. Their intellectual abilities have astounded the human race for quite some time. They can solve advanced problems, learn sign language and use it to communicate with humans. They outperform humans in number memory tests and can be taught to use a computer to solve numerical problems.
Coming in at second place are dolphins. They have a sophisticated language and can respond to behavioral commands. They were used as informants to carry messages during wars. Their cerebral cortex and frontal lobe are 40% bigger than humans.
In third place there is the orangutan. They are just behind humans as far as being gifted with an intellectual brain goes. They have a strong culture and a system of communication. They are handy with tools, but it is their strong social bonds that contribute to their advanced cognitive skills.
Elephants are fourth because of their exceptional memories. They also clean their food before eating and are empathetic, mourning the death of family members. They can remember exact locations of watering holes.
Finally, 5th place goes to crows. They are opportunists who gather nuts and then place them on roads for passing cars to crack. They will then wait for the traffic light to change before safely collecting their snacks. They use specific dialects to communicate and deliberately play tricks on one another.
