The second and final episode of Super Smart Animals on the BBC featured more amazing creatures that are pushing the boundaries in how scientists view animal intelligence. This research has shown that animals are much closer to humanity in terms of behaviour and empathy than previously thought. Animals share many of the skills and traits that had previously been thought to be unique to humanity.
After the first episode of Super Smart Animals introduced us to Ayumu, the chimpanzee that can outscore any human on memory; and Tillman, the dog that taught itself to skateboard; the second episode provided another hour of amazing and heart-warming animals with exceptional mental ability and talents.
Chaser the Collie
Chaser the border collie knows more words than any other animal. It knows over 1000 toys by name, and can fetch them when asked. The next highest number of words known by a dog is thought to be 340. Chaser's brilliance is put down to it being intensively trained by psychologists Alliston Reid and John Pilley of Wofford College in South Carolina.
In the programme, Chaser was shown being asked to fetch a new toy called Meow; a word and toy that it did not know before. The toy was placed on a mat with named toys that Chaser did know. Chaser worked out that it was being asked for a new toy after a short period of time, successfully finding and fetching the new toy named Meow. This suggests that Chaser used logic in a process of elimination.
Kanzi the Bonobo
Presenter, Liz Bonnin, met a bonobo called Kanzi, and conversed with it through the use of lexigrams. Lexigrams are complex abstract symbols that represent words, allowing Kanzi to ask questions, and 'talk' in future and past tense.
Kanzi was shown asking to play chase and tickle, and to be hosed down because it was hot. Liz Bonnin said Kanzi had a fun and adorable personality.
Other Animals in Episode 2
The second episode of Super Smart Animals also featured a heron that used bait; crows that recognised a mask as a threat five years after it was worn while researchers capture two crows in a net; sheepdogs at work; and a test showing that meerkats knew the ages of the pups they were training by their calls.
Super Smart Animals Episode 2 was shown on Thursday, February 9th, and is available in the UK on iplayer until February 16th. Clips are available from the links in the article, along with many others on the Super Smart Animals website.
Marc Latham - Doctor of Philosophy and experienced freelance writer searching for truth and meaning, and reporting it in clear and concise copy.
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