Top Ten Smartest Animals

The Top Ten

Human

Humans (Homo sapiens) are the most abundant and widespread species of primate, characterized by habitual bipedalism and comparatively large, complex brains. These traits have enabled the development of advanced tools, culture, and language. Humans are highly social and live in complex structures, ranging... read more

People try to say that we have so many problems therefore we aren't's smart. Not true at all. We are evil. We are manipulative. We are destroying this world.
But if you look at it, the reason we have the ability to do this is because we are smart. There is no denying that. If we weren't smart, we wouldn't be the dominant species on earth. We wouldn't have made so many scientific discoveries, developed so many weapons, and eliminated so many species and ecosystems.
I agree that we have many problems and act stupid in places. But we are smart. A lot of us just use our intelligence in crooked ways. The reason why we are doing so many things wrong isn't because we aren't smart, rather we aren't using our intelligence in the right way. Like why are we developing thousands of nukes when we could instead prevent global warming? Humans are the smartest, but we need to use our intelligence better.
Dolphin

A dolphin is an aquatic mammal within the infraorder Cetacea. Dolphin species belong to the families Delphinidae (oceanic dolphins), Platanistidae (Indian river dolphins), Iniidae (New World river dolphins), Pontoporiidae (brackish water dolphins), and the extinct Lipotidae (baiji or Chinese river dolphin... read more

Assuming we aren't counting humans, its dolphins vs apes, more specifically dolphins vs chimps. Chimps win in my opinion, but really, there is evidence for both sides. The only thing wrong about this list is Dogs being above Monkeys and Chimps even though they are nowhere near as smart according t science.

I saw trained dolphins at a reserve once, and an dolphin which was only a year old, and it was trained to do some pretty amazing things, including work with another dolphin to come under my feet and carry me across the pool they were in, try to find a one year old human that can do anything near that!
Chimpanzee

Chimpanzees are primates of the genus Pan, which includes the common chimpanzee and the bonobo. They are part of the tribe Hominini, which also includes humans, and belong to the family Hominidae, which encompasses all great apes.... read more

Guys, you do realise that some people might be checking this website for actual data, right? So please stop depriving them of their rightful data and vote scientifically, as this is a scientific question. Chimps should be number 2

Yes, chimps are smarter than Dolphins and I have mathematical proof, people and chimps share 99.8% of DNA and humans are by far the smartest therefore chimps, Orangutans, and gorillas.

Chimpanzees are the closest to humans. They should be above dolphins because scientifically they can do mostly anything humans can do.
Dog

The dog, or domestic dog (Canis familiaris or Canis lupus familiaris), is a domesticated descendant of the wolf and is characterized by an upturned tail. Derived from an ancient, extinct wolf species, the modern wolf is its closest living relative. Dogs were the first species to be domesticated by humans... read more

DOGS are smart and the reason they are higher than many animals and not closely related to the human like chimps is because they are easy to train. Dogs are the only animals that really show much emotion. You don't see chimps complaining when they are given an apple not a banana.

They may be smart but they shouldn't be this night on the list. People think they are so "clever" because they can learn tricks. All the other animals on this list can learn tricks too and can do way more. Even cats are way smarter than dogs
Cat

The cat (Felis catus) is a domesticated small carnivorous mammal. It is the only domesticated species in the Felidae family and is commonly called the domestic cat to distinguish it from wild felines.
Cats can be house pets, farm cats, or feral. They are often valued for companionship and for... read more

To,
Whoever says "cat's are smarter than dogs"
Remind me when a cat detects cancer. Remind me when a cat becomes a service animal(on that note remind me when a cat learns how to open a door or answer a phone)Remind me when a cat helps on search and rescue missions. Remind me when a cat becomes a police "officer" Remind me when a cat saves an entire town.
These are what dogs do on a daily basis. What is considered a miracle for cats is done as a daily job for some dogs. Of course cats are smart! One of the most intelligent animals in the world! But don't say that cats are smarter than dogs. As they are equally intelligent.

So smart! I know dogs are smart and can do AMAZING tricks. Yes you adorable wittle doggos. This is about cats though, so they can be left alone for a week without humans! One of my cats watch us and jump up into the air and bring his paws down on the door and opens it! He pushes the chair away a little and he can shake hands with me! I have no idea why I didn't teach him anything else.
Parrot

Parrots, also known as psittacines, are birds comprising roughly 393 species in 92 genera within the order Psittaciformes. These birds are found predominantly in tropical and subtropical regions around the world. They are known for their bright plumage, intelligence, and ability to mimic human speech... read more

The most intelligent and smart animal in Earth is Parrot... They are way more more intelligent than Dolphins, Chimpanzees, monkeys and dogs can ever be. Parrots know how to talk not only in their way but in any language you can throw. Can Dogs and dolphins talk? Not even when you put everything to teach them. You can set them any tasks (just like me) and they'll d without any problem. While most animals will be stuck at a random single problem Parrots can do anything which humans are capable of doing. If you can then count them.
I am not saying this ; even the Mighty Holy Quran is saying this...

The only animal that can speak human. That's right human! Parrots know what wear'e saying we humans don't know parrot language. In a test it was shown a parrot having a coversation with another parrot in korean!
Monkey

Monkeys are haplorhine primates that form a paraphyletic group. Most monkeys have tails and are distinct from apes. There are approximately 260 known living species of monkeys.
They are divided into two groups: New World monkeys (Platyrrhines), found in Central and South America, and Old World... read more

A literal study showed that they were the smartest animal other than humans. One time, when I was in Costa Rica, a family had out this big container of fruit near the beach and then suddenly a dozen capuchins appeared in the trees, and I remember one of the people looking up nervously before all of them jumped down and attacked, the first one knocking the fruit away, another chucking rocks to get them back, and finally all of them swiped some pinapple or watermelon

I have raised everything from dogs, cats, parrots, other fowl and even a Capuchin monkey. Let me tell you this.. THAT MONKEY was way smarter than my other animals.. Yes Dogs are good loved pets and yes parrots are definitely smart but that monkey of mine put them all to shame...
Elephant

Elephants are the largest land animals alive today. There are three recognized species: the African bush elephant (Loxodonta africana), the African forest elephant (Loxodonta cyclotis), and the Asian elephant (Elephas maximus). These are the only surviving members of the family Elephantidae. Extinct... read more

Not saying that these other animals aren't smart, but how is elephant only number 10. They can mourn their dead, understand human voices, pass knowledge from generation to generation, understand sounds, have empathy, care about each other, can use tools (which we thought only monkeys and humans could do for the longest time,) and more I'm probably not thinking of, what can't they do!?
Some random guy: Survive human attacks, poachers and our constant need to destroy their habitat...
Me: Huh, sadly true, as they are endangered and poachers are still continuing to hunt it... But then again what isn't endangered thanks to us?
Guy; Uh, dogs, cats... uuuhhh... blobfish?
Me: That's what I though...
Octopus

An octopus (plural: octopuses or octopodes) is a soft-bodied, eight-limbed mollusk of the order Octopoda. This order comprises approximately 300 species within the class Cephalopoda, alongside squids, cuttlefish, and nautiloids. Like other cephalopods, octopuses are bilaterally symmetric, with two camera-type... read more

Octopuses are the smartest sea creatures. They have huge brains.

The crow is the smartest land creature? Think again, buster.

This guy should be number 2. For sure
Pig

A pig is any of the animals in the genus Sus, within the Suidae family of even-toed ungulates. Pigs include the domestic pig and its ancestor, the common Eurasian wild boar, along with other species. Related creatures outside the genus include the peccary, the babirusa, and the warthog.

They are actually pretty smart, but with all those insults about pigs going around it's hard to think that.

Yes. Pigs are actually more intelligent than dogs. Don't say - "Well, I can eat pigs because they're stupid".

I have pet pigs & they are so intelligent. They should definitely be higher! (Especially over cats I think)

The Newcomers

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Bonobo
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Goat

The domestic goat (Capra hircus) is a domesticated animal species that is part of the goat-antelope group. It was domesticated from the wild goat (Capra aegagrus) in regions of Southwest Asia and Eastern Europe. Goats belong to the family Bovidae and the tribe Caprini, making them close relatives of... read more

The Contenders

Gorilla

Gorillas are herbivorous, predominantly ground-dwelling great apes that inhabit the tropical forests of equatorial Africa. The genus Gorilla is divided into two species: the eastern gorilla and the western gorilla, and either four or five subspecies. The DNA of gorillas is highly similar to that of humans... read more

Gorrillas have more neurons and mostly central cerebral cortex neurons than chimps or any other animal other than elephants overall, elephants have more neurons in general, but apes and humans have a higher cerebral cortex count.

I miss you, Harrambe. Gorillas are smart, Harrambe was, he tried to save a kid and got killed. This is proof that gorillas are even smarter than those stupid humans.

Estimated Average IQ: 82
Koko is an extremely smart gorilla. Also, a dog's estimated average IQ is about 25.
Whale

If orcas were smarter than us they would see us as a threat in the wild. Tell me does an orca know what 2 plus 2 or 3 plus 3 is? Humans are smarter than orcas. Humans are the smartest creatures dude. Dolphins and Whales are not as smart as us dumbass.

Is this a joke, killer whales are by far the smartest creature in the sea, in my opinion.

Incredibly intelligent, just like dolphins, only with much more brain capacity.
Horse

The horse is a hoofed mammal of the family Equidae. Its primary domesticated subspecies is Equus ferus caballus, although wild subspecies persisted into recent history. All modern horses descend from the Pleistocene species Equus ferus. Horses evolved over 45 to 55 million years from the small multi-toed... read more

I believe horses are one of the most amazing animals ever. Not only do they have an AMAZING memory, but they can understand signals when are told. They have a connection with humans as unique as a fingerprint. The only reason why they would ever hurt someone or something on purpose is if they were bothering it. Honestly, I think in some ways horses are smarter than humans. If we were so smart then why do we even have an issue with global warming? In my opinion, horses should be at the top of the list.

I am with horses and ride them A LOT. Horses are very smart, and have they are very special. They connect with humans in a way no other animals do. If they really wanted to hurt you they would do it, but they are smart enough to get in harmony with humans. I know that humans outsmart horses, but if you don't count humans I think horses are the smartest in there own way of "talking" to humans and other horses. They actually deside a leader in the herd by who is the smartest and wisest. :) Horses are best
Crow

Unbelievable smart, in science the number five most intelligent animal after Chimps, Dolphins, Elephants and Orang Oetangs, humans not included. Dogs are not even top 10 as popularity has nothing to do with intelligence.

I don't think crows get nearly enough credit they deserve. They've been shown to use tools to solve problems, remember things over a long period of time, and even recognize human faces!

Crows can remember peoples faces, and when they can't open a nut they put it on a road, wait for a car to drive over it, and break it, then they eat the nut. Crows are genius.
Fox

Foxes are small to medium-sized animals in the Canidae family, which also includes jackals, wolves, and domestic dogs. There are 37 species of fox, but only 12 are considered true foxes of the genus Vulpes. Foxes are omnivorous and adaptable, with diets that include small mammals, birds, reptiles, insects... read more

I apologize... I was once a rabbit fan and believed they were the smartest animal. But... I was wrong. That comment at the top that says "oh that's like saying a wooden plank is smart ooh" I was very wrong.
Foxes ARE smart. Foxes ARE intelligent, but rabbits who I have found out to be rather... STUPID! PATHETIC! USELESS! DUMB!
I freaking hate rabbits, I wish they didn't exist. I want foxes to eat them all since rabbits are soooooo useless! I really hate them. Once again, I apologize, fox lovers, for I have joined the foxes' side. Stuff rabbits.

HAHAHAHHA! This is just like saying that a wooden plank has intelligence! Even a wooden plank would be smarter than a stupid fox! I mean their IQ is just 70 but look at dogs, cats, rabbits! Their IQ level is like 100 but further down. Foxes with intelligence! HAHAHA, such a good pun.
Orangutan

Orangutans are great apes native to the rainforests of Indonesia and Malaysia. They are now found only in parts of Borneo and Sumatra, but during the Pleistocene they ranged throughout Southeast Asia and South China. Classified in the genus Pongo, orangutans were originally considered a single species... read more
Raccoon

The raccoon, sometimes spelled racoon and also known as the common raccoon, North American raccoon, or northern raccoon, is a medium-sized mammal native to North America. It is recognized for its distinctive facial mask and ringed tail.... read more

These should be in the top 10 they can open door knobs, jars and can remember from 2 years back they are also known for remembering their birth and if someone feeds them they can remember exactly where it was.

Raccoons piss me off because they're so smart. They live around my house and they can get into everything

Can solve puzzles and get out of traps!
Falcons
Rat

Rats are various medium sized, long tailed rodents of the superfamily Muroidea. "True rats" are members of the genus Rattus, with the black rat (Rattus rattus) and the brown rat (Rattus norvegicus) being the most significant to humans. These species are commonly found in urban areas and are known for... read more

Rats are in almost every scientific top 10 about intelligence, so they are really among the most smart animals. Because they are not popular they are low in this list. But scientists know they are way smarter than cats and dogs. Popularity is not a legal reason for intelligence!

Finally, a list where they're placed well! Yes, they're intelligent.

As a rat owner, they definitely are very smart!
Wolf

The wolf (Canis lupus), also known as the gray or grey wolf, is a large canine native to Eurasia and North America. Over 30 subspecies of Canis lupus are currently recognized. Gray wolves represent the wild subspecies. As the largest extant member of the Canidae family, the wolf is distinguishable from... read more

They might be supposedly smart but just eat and kill for pleasure. Something I don't find "smart".

I feel wolves are much smarter. How are they 35 when the dog is #4? Wolves is where dogs come from...

Wolves are dogs but everyone is complaining about how wolves are so much lower on the list. WOLVES ARE DOGS
Bat

Bats are mammals of the order Chiroptera. With their forelimbs adapted as wings, they are the only mammals capable of true and sustained flight. Their long, spread-out digits are covered by a thin membrane called the patagium, which gives them remarkable aerial maneuverability and allows many species... read more

Very smart. Also my favorite animal. Mix of number 1.
Japanese Macaque

Let's be honest here. Who doesn't like snow monkeys?
Penguin

Penguins (order Sphenisciformes, family Spheniscidae) are aquatic, flightless birds found almost exclusively in the Southern Hemisphere. The only species found north of the Equator is the Galápagos penguin. Penguins are highly adapted to marine life, featuring countershaded plumage and flippers for efficient... read more
Mouse

A mouse is a small rodent characterized by a pointed snout, small rounded ears, a body-length scaly tail, and a high breeding rate. The best-known species is the common house mouse, which is found in homes and urban areas worldwide. Mice are also popular as pets and are widely used in scientific research... read more
Bee

Bees are flying insects in the order Hymenoptera that are essential for pollinating flowering plants. They play a vital role in agriculture and natural ecosystems by facilitating plant reproduction. Bees also produce honey and beeswax, and some species live in complex social colonies.