Chimpanzees vs. Dolphins

MrAwesome

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Aug 31, 2003
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Okay, we know that chimpanzees and dolphins are incredibly smart. But which species is more blessed intellectually?
 

vi edit

Elite Member
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Oct 28, 1999
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Ummmm, I think it's pretty much impossible to really test. One being water dwelling with only flippers and fins, and the other being land dwelling with arms, legs, and hands.

Motorskills are a very basic way of judging rudimentary intelligence and you just can't compare them. They both recognize words and hand symbols, but chimps are better able respond and manipulate objects because of their hands and fingers. A dolphin doesn't have that luxury.
 

Vee

Senior member
Jun 18, 2004
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Dolphins, and a lot of whales, are very very smart. My thinking is, - lot smarter than chimpanzees.
Our intelligence doesn't correlate well to theirs, so we have a hard time understanding them.
But dolphins understand and respond to trainers intentions very fast. There's no doubt that they are very smart.

Chimpanzees might be challenged by some birds too. Experiments with a rather small parachite, have demonstrated as good or better language and communications skills, and understanding of abstract concepts, as any sign language gorilla or symbol language chimp. Very impressive for such a small volume brain. It doesn't need signs or symbols either, it can speak.

- And don't forget elephants.
In general, I think all animals are a lot smarter and more 'conscious' than most people or even science give them credit for. They just experience the world differently and communicate differently. Of course, good dog owners have known this for ages...
 

DingDingDao

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Jun 9, 2004
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Originally posted by: Ikonomi
Dolphins are smart, but mice are the most intelligent animals on Earth.

If that was a reference to Hitchhiker's Guide, :beer: