Most Rare Animals in the World part 2

We have all watched Animal Planet and other television shows like Wild Kingdom that feature some pretty weird animals. I mean everyone has seen shows on such creatures as the duck billed platypus, or strange creatures from the ocean depths. Some of them you might have already heard of or seen, but I bet a few of them you haven't.

1 The Narwhal

The most conspicuous characteristic of male narwhal is their single extraordinarily long tusk, an incisor that projects from the left side of the upper jaw and forms a left-handed helix. The tusk can be up to 3 metres long (compared with a body length of 7–8 m) and weigh up to 10 kilograms. About one in 500 males has two tusks, which occurs when the right tooth, normally small, also grows out. Although rare, a female narwhal may also produce a tusk. There is a single recorded case of a female with two tusks.

The purpose of the tusk has been the subject of much debate. Early scientific theories suggested that the tusk was used to pierce the ice covering the narwhal’s Arctic Sea habitat. Others suggested the tusk was used in echolocation. More recently, scientists believed the tusk is primarily used for showmanship and for dominance: males with larger tusks are more likely to successfully attract a mate. This hypothesis was suggested by the activity of "tusking", in which two males rub their tusks together.


2 Komondor

King of the Hungarian livestock guarding dogs, the Komondor, is one of the most unusual breeds. A big muscular dog covered with dense, white cords. This coat protects the dog against the elements and predators . The Komondor is a large dog with males standing at least 27 1/2" at the shoulders, while females must be at least 25 1/2" tall. Occasionally one may see a Komondor as large as 31" or even bigger, but these cases are rare. While large, the Komondor is not an overly heavy dog. Males usually weigh more than 80 pounds and females more than 60 pounds. Despite its size, the Komondor is astonishingly fast, agile and light on its feet. The quick movement, large size, unique coat and majestic appearance of the Komondor can be awe inspiring. A fearless dog, the Komondor’s main task is to guard flocks of sheep or other livestock against predators such as wolves, coyotes, feral dogs, or human predators. The nature of the Komondor is that of a calm watchful dog who thrives on responsibility. Komondors need something to watch over. Be it livestock, children, or a cat, a Komondor is happiest when taking responsibility for another’s well-being. As a pet, the Komondor is quiet around the house, unless it perceives a threat to those entrusted to its care. If challenged, the Komondor becomes a fearless protector knocking down an intruder or breaking windows to protect its "flock". In the field, the Komondor is vigilant and trustworthy, reducing losses and even caring for orphans. It is important to remember that the Komondor is, first and foremost, a stock guard dog.


3 Hagfish

Hagfish are marine craniates of the class Myxini, also known as Hyperotreti. Despite their name, there is some debate about whether they are strictly fish (as there is for lampreys), since they belong to a much more primitive lineage than any other group that is commonly defined fish (Chondrichthyes and Osteichthyes). Their unusual feeding habits and slime-producing capabilities have led members of the scientific and popular media to dub the hagfish as the most "disgusting" of all sea creatures.


4 Yeti Crab

Yeti Crab (Kiwa hirsuta) is a crustacean discovered in 2005 in the South Pacific Ocean. This decapod, which is approximately 15 cm long, is notable for the quantity of silky blond setae (resembling fur) covering its pereiopods (thoracic legs, including claws). Its discoverers dubbed it the "yeti lobster" or "yeti crab" .

The ‘hairy’ pincers contain filamentous bacteria, which the creature may use to detoxify poisonous minerals from the water emitted by the hydrothermal vents where it lives. Alternatively, it may feed on the bacteria, although it is thought to be a general carnivore. Its diet also consists of green algae and small shrimp.


5 Alpaca

Alpacas are kept in herds that graze on the level heights of the Andes of Ecuador, southern Peru, northern Bolivia, and northern Chile at an altitude of 3500 to 5000 meters above sea-level, throughout the year. Alpacas are considerably smaller than llamas, and unlike them are not used as beasts of burden but are valued only for their fiber. Alpacas only have fleece fibers, not woolen fibers, used for making knitted and woven items much as sheep’s wool is. These items include blankets, sweaters, hats, gloves, scarves, a wide variety of textiles and ponchos in South America, and sweaters, socks and coats in other parts of the world. The fiber comes in more than 52 natural colors as classified in Peru, 12 as classified in Australia and 22 as classified in America. Alpacas and llamas differ in that llamas have banana shaped ears and long tails and alpacas have straight ears and stubby tails. Aside from these differences, llamas are on average 1-2 feet taller and proportionally bigger than alpacas.


6 Axolotl

The Axolotl may not a common pet, but it is very unique. The axolotl is a type of salamander, native to Mexico. It’s scientific name is Ambystoma mexicanum. The common pet or laboratory Axolotl refers exclusively to A. mexicanum, although in Mexico the term Axolotl is used in reference to several species of Ambystoma, and is considered an edible food source!

The Axolotl is neotenic, meaning that it doesn’t routinely undergo metamorphosis from the larval to adult form, as happens with most other salamanders. Instead, the larval form (with gills) becomes sexually mature and reproduces, maintaining a strictly aquatic life style. Under some circumstances, the Axolotl can undergo metamorphosis into a terrestrial from, although this can be stressful on the animal.


7 Angora rabbit

The Angora rabbit is a variety of domestic rabbit bred for its long, soft hair. The Angora is one of the oldest types of domestic rabbit, originating in Ankara, Turkey, along with the Angora cat and Angora goat. The rabbits were popular pets with French royalty in the mid 1700s, and spread to other parts of Europe by the end of the century. They first appeared in the United States in the early 1900s. They are bred largely for their long wool, which may be removed by shearing or plucking (gently pulling loose wool).


8 Dumbo octopus

Also known as the "Grimpoteuthis", is a benthic mollusc found on the ocean floor at depths of 300-400 meters. Dumbo octopuses, which can grow to up to 20 centimeters, are soft-bodied or semi- gelatinous octopuses with a pair of fins located on their mantle and webbing between their arms. Grimpoteuthis swim by moving their fins, pulsing their webbed arms, pushing water through their funnel for jet propulsion, or all three at once. They can swim up off the bottom and hover a bit just above the seafloor looking for snails, worms, and other food.


9 Blobfish

The blobfish (Fathead, Psychrolutes marcidus) is a fish that inhabits the deep waters off the coasts of Australia and Tasmania. Due to the inaccessibility of its habitat, it is rarely seen by humans.

Blobfish are found at depths where the pressure is several dozens of times higher than at sea level, which would likely make gas bladders inefficient. To remain buoyant, the flesh of the blobfish is primarily a gelatinous mass with a density slightly less than water; this allows the fish to float above the sea floor without expending energy on swimming. The relative lack of muscle is not a disadvantage as it primarily swallows edible matter that floats by in front of it.


10 Emperor Tamarin

The Emperor Tamarin (Saguinus imperator) is a tamarin allegedly named for its similarity with the German emperor Wilhelm II. The name was first intended as a joke, but has become the official scientific name.

This tamarin lives in the southwest Amazon Basin, in east Peru, north Bolivia and in the west Brazilian states of Acre and Amazonas.

The fur of the Emperor Tamarin is predominantly grey colored, with yellowish speckles on its chest. The hands and feet are black and the tail is brown. Outstanding is its long, white mustache, which extends to both sides beyond the shoulders. The animal reaches a length of 24 to 26 cm, plus a 35 cm long tail. It weighs approximately 300 to 400 g.

Top 10 Cases of Animals Saving Humans

I have been lurking on listverse for a while now and I thought it was about time I contributed something, so here is my first list. This list looks at 10 incidents in which animals have saved human lives. In all but one case the animals were protecting humans from other animal dangers. Feel free to mention any cases you know in the comments.

10 Cat Saved Family from House Fire

Dianne Busscher was woken up at 4:45 a.m. by the cries of the family cat, Oreo, coming from the garage. Busscher went down stairs to see what the fuss was about. What she saw was smoke and
flames; she quickly grabbed the cat and rushed back inside to wake up her husband and their five children.
The fire destroyed the garage and a bedroom. None of the family was harmed thanks to the cat’s cries. As an interesting side note, none of the family had been too fond of the cat before this incident; however Jesse Busscher claimed “We love it now. This thing is getting some tuna tonight!” This is not as uncommon as might be expected – pictured above is another cat (Baby) who also saved her family from a house fire.

9 Dolphin Saved Teenager from Drowning

Davide Ceci was 14 years old and couldn’t swim when he fell out of his Fathers boat in south-east Italy; he was within minutes of death when dolphin Filippo came to his rescue. Filippo had been a popular tourist attraction off Manfredonia in south-east Italy for two years. While Emanuele Ceci was still unaware his son had fallen into the waves, Filippo was pushing him up out of the water to safety. The dolphin bore down on the boat and got close enough for Davide’s father to grab him.
Davide’s mother Signora Ceci said: “It is a hero, it seems impossible an animal could have done something like that, to feel the instinct to save a human life.” Filippo has lived in the waters off Manfredonia since he became separated from a visiting school of dolphins. Maritime researcher Dr Giovanna Barbieri said: “Filippo seems not to have the slightest fear of humans. I’m not surprised he should have done such a wonderful thing as to save a human.” Pictured above is a beluga whale saving a drowning diver.

8 Dog Saved Woman from River

Brenda Owen had gone out for a quick walk with her dog when she spotted a wheelchair on the riverbank; she saw a woman floating in the river. She called out to her but there was no reply so she told her dog, Penny, to “Fetch! Fetch!” without hesitation the dog ran into the river, swam to the woman and pulled her to the shore. Brenda said that Penny has always been a very obedient dog and despite being 10 years old she was still very fit.

7 Dog Saves boy from snake

In Texas, way back in 1982, a 2 year old child had been walking with his grandmother when Arf, the family dog, became very agitated; the dog became so agitated that the grandmother thought it best to take the child inside. Mrs. Sparks, the child’s mother, came out to find Arf in a fight with a 24 inch north-american coral snake, she shot the snake but arf had a lot of bites and scratches and had to be admitted into a veterinary hospital for 24 days. Although the newspaper that I got this from didn’t say whether he survived or not, it said he was making a strong recovery.

6 Watusi Calf Saves Women from Snake

Janice Wolf was in the back pasture of the refuge she operates in Arkansas when her 11 month old Watusu Calf suddenly turned and blocked her path, she couldn’t understand why it was doing this, so she took hold of its horns and tried pushing it, but it tossed its head and knocked her off balance, that’s when she spotted a copper-head snake on the ground exactly were her foot would have been had the Watusi calf not intervened.
She said Copper-head venom usually isn’t fatal to adults; however it could well have been fatal to her because she had been extra sensitive to insect bites in the past and had just come out of hospital for a lung operation.

5 Dolphins Save surfer from shark

On one hot August day, Todd Endris, 24 year old owner of Monterey Aquarium services decided to go surfing with some friends. While surfing, a 15 foot shark appeared. The shark tried to bite him but could not get its jaws around both the surfer and the surf board, it came around for a second try where it got Todd clamped between his surf board and its jaws, because his stomach was against the surf board Todd’s internal organs were not harmed, however he lost a lot of skin from his back, the shark let go and came at Todd for a third time and tried to swallow his right leg, however this gave the surfer the grip he needed to start kicking the shark in the snout until it let go, at this point when Todd was running out of energy and thought he was done for, a pod of dolphins came out and formed a protective ring around him, keeping the shark at bay long enough for Todd to catch a wave back to shore and receive emergency first aid from his friend.

4 Pit bull Saves woman and child from being attacked

In 2008 a woman and her young son had been walking home from a playground; as they entered a parking lot a man holding a knife approached them and told them not to make any movements. A large pit bull ran out of nowhere and charged the man, who quickly fled. An animal control authority said they had no idea what the mans intentions were but it was very possible that the dog saved Angela’s and her sons life.
What’s extraordinary about this case is that every other item on this list the animal is either doing what they are trained to do or the person(s) was in clear danger from other animals. This is the only case I found in my research where the danger was another human.

3 Gorilla Saves Boy from being attacked

On August 16 1996 in the Brookfield Zoo, a 3 year old boy fell into a Gorilla enclosure and lost consciousness. Binti Jua a female Lowland Gorilla, guarded the young boy from the other Gorillas in the enclosure, she then cradled him in her arm (while her own 17 month old baby was on her back) and carried him 60 feet to an entrance where zoo-keepers could retrieve him.
This isn’t an isolated case, on August 31 1986 at Jersey Zoo a 5 year old boy fell into a Gorilla enclosure and lost consciousness, a large male Gorilla named Jambo stood guard over the boy not allowing any of the others to come near, when the boy woke up and started crying all of the Gorillas backed off and zoo-keepers (along with an ambulance) were able to retrieve him safely.

2 Dolphins Save swimmers from sharks

Rob Howes, a British-born lifeguard, had gone swimming with his daughter, Niccy, and two of her friends off Ocean beach near Whangarei on the North Island of New Zealand, when a group of dolphins suddenly appeared. The dolphins started to herd the humans; they pushed all four of them together by circling around them. Howes tried to drift away from the group, but two of the bigger dolphins herded him back – just as he spotted a 10ft great white shark heading towards him. “I just recoiled,” he said. “It was only about two metres away from me, the water was crystal clear and it was as clear as the nose on my face. They had corralled us up to protect us.”
The dolphins kept this up for 40 minutes until the shark lost interest, and the group could swim the 100m back to shore. Another lifeguard, Matt Fleet, on patrol in a lifeboat, saw the dolphins circling the swimmers and slapping their tails on the water to keep them in place. He told the Northern Advocate newspaper that he also had a clear sighting of the shark. “Some of the people later on the beach tried to tell me it was just another dolphin; but I knew what I saw,” he said. Ingrid Visser, of Orca Research, an environmental group, said the dolphins’ behavior was understandable, as they attack sharks to protect themselves and their young, similar incidents had been reported round the world. “They could have sensed the danger to the swimmers, and taken action to protect them,” she said.

1 Treo The bomb-sniffing search dog

I want this item to represent all animals used for warfare and by the authorities, but rather than try to sum up all the brave military animals I will concentrate on one case: Treo, the bomb sniffing search dog. In the UK Treo ha recently been on the news for winning the Dickin Medal award, which is the animal equivalent of the Victoria Cross (which is the British equivalent of the Medal of Honor). A total of 26 other dogs, 32 World War Two messenger pigeons, three horses and one cat have won the award, introduced by PDSA founder Maria Dickin in 1943.
Treo sniffed out two hidden bombs in Helmand province, potentially saving many lives, and is now at eight years old taking a well-deserved retirement. His handler, Sgt David Heyhoe, has worked with him for 5 years and Treo is now the family pet. Oh and if you are all just as intrigued as I am as to how Simon the cat won the award, read on: “[Simon] Served on HMS Amethyst during the Yangtze Incident, disposing of many rats though wounded by shell blast. Throughout the incident his behavior was of the highest order, although the blast was capable of making a hole over a foot in diameter in a steel plate.”

World's Biggest Shark

This might be the biggest shark I've ever seen. this giant white shark was founded in Australian bay.. wow the size of this shark was bigger than human.. be careful when you swimming there.. if you was unlucky you might be eaten alive by those shark..

Actually a shark are a type of fish with a full cartilaginous skeleton and a highly streamlined body. They respire with the use of five to seven gill slits. Sharks have a covering of dermal denticles that protect their skin from damage and parasites and improve fluid dynamics. They have several sets of replaceable teeth. Sharks range in size from the small dwarf lanternshark, Etmopterus perryi, a deep sea species of only 17 centimetres (7 in) in length, to the whale shark, Rhincodon typus, the largest fish, which grows to a length of approximately 12 metres (39 ft) and which feeds only on plankton, squid, and small fish through filter feeding.

Be Careful to Take Your Children to the Zoo

When was the last time you took your kids to the zoo? Do you remember how much fun they had, and do you remember how much you enjoyed watching their faces light up when they watched the penguins being fed, or the chimpanzees chasing each other around the exhibit? Isn’t it time you packed up your family and headed to the nearest zoo?

A day at the zoo isn’t just a fun way for the entire family to spend the day, but also a great opportunity for you to teach your child about all sorts of stuff. There is of course the obvious, like naming the different animals with your preschooler or reading the exhibit signs with your school-age child. Let’s take a look at some other teaching opportunities...

be careful If your children ask you to take him to the zoo in a holidays. you can make him happy by taking your lovely kids to the zoo but in the other side you have to be aware of the illegal view to your children.. just imagine how if your children watch this "Lovely" Moment.. they can be mature before it's time.. So be Be Careful to Take Your Children to the Zoo

 

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

Strongest Creature

You're probably thinking the strongest creature on earth is only a bug that fits in the palm of your hand? What about the largest living land mammal? You'd think something as massive as an elephant would be able to carry way more weight than a little insect. Yes, it's true. An elephant can carry a lot more weight than a rhinoceros beetle, but the definition of strength we're using here is one of proportional strength. A huge African elephant can only carry up to 25% of its own weight on its back. The rhinoceros beetle can carry 850 times its own weight. There's NO CONTEST. That would be like an elephant carrying 850 elephants on its back.

What is That Horn For?
The rhinoceros beetle is aptly named because it has horns on its head, very much like the rhinoceros does. Scientists believe that the beetle has become so strong to be able to forage through heavy litter on the jungle floor and dig its way to safety. Using its horns it can dig its way out of a sticky situation by burying itself underground, escaping danger.

Some Fascinating Facts about Rhinoceros Beetles
Picture of rhinoceros beetle"Adult rhino beetles eat rotting fruit and sap; in spite of their size, they don't eat very much. The larvae, on the other hand, eat a great deal of rotting wood or the compost in which they live. In spite of their fierce appearance, they are all totally harmless: they cannot bite or sting or hurt you with their horns.

Rhino beetles have three instars, that is, they go through three molts before changing into the pupal stage. It is not possible to say what the average life span is because the name rhino beetle refers to about 300 different species of scarab beetles; some live in tropical countries and some live in North America, and so the length of their lives varies a lot.

Rhino beetles could be considered helpful because they are important in recycling plant material back into the ecosystem. On only a few rare occasions has a species reached pest proportions, and this has usually happened in sugar cane fields or palm plantations that have been recently carved out of the jungle. In this case, humans have entered the home habitat of the beetles and upset the balance of things. You might also consider rhino beetles to be extremely beneficial because of aesthetics: they are all so beautiful.

The best protection they have from predators is their usually large size combined with their activity being at night. During the day, they are hiding under logs or in vegetation and invisible from the few predators big enough to want to eat them. Surprisingly, the horn of the male is not used for protection but rather for the occasional battle with another male over a feeding site. The victorious male with the feeding site can then often attract a mate; the females have no horns. It's sorta like the guy in the school lunchroom with the best lunch can attract the prettiest girl; she does not really care what you look like but is more interested in your food. This is some very basic biology for many vertebrate animals (including humans): males having the most resources are often the ones chosen by females. These resources can take many forms: food, territory, ability to care for young, or brains; big antlers, large horns, or being handsome usually rate second.

World's Smartest Animals Ever

Do You Know what is the world's smartest animal ever?? or have you ever wondering what is the smartest animal in this world?? this might be a great list of the world's smartest animal written by Bryan Johnson. We Hope that you enjoy this list of World's Smartest Animal Ever.

Earth is full of a wide variety of creatures. Living organisms need to hear, think, see, and adapt with precision in order to evolve, flourish, and survive on this planet. The animal kingdom is built around primates, mammals, rodents, cetaceans, marsupials, birds, reptiles, and mollusks, to name a few. As humans, we pride ourselves on being the dominate thinkers and smartest species. This has lifted us to the top of the food chain, but many animal populations have also been successful in breeding, expanding, and adapting to world and climate conditions. It is amazing to see that some animals actually have a certain sense of natural phenomenon that is unknown to humans. The best example of this is the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami. Many species of animals were seen heading for the hills before any tsunami danger was evident to humans. Animal populations are much smarter then many humans give them credit for. They have languages, mannerisms, rules, and goals for survival. Here is a list of the Top 10 Smartest Animals and the reasons why they are so special.


10. Portia Labiata Jumping Spider

This species is a member of the Portia genus of spiders and is definitely the smallest creature on the list. Also known as the White-Mustached Portia, they inhabit wastelands and secondary forests in Africa, Asia, and Australia. These spiders have demonstrated learning abilities in laboratory tests and have been labeled the smartest bugs in the world. They perform astoundingly well on numerous problem solving tasks. One of their principle skills is luring other spiders from their webs for food. To do this they will pluck out rhythms at the corner of a web to mimic a trapped bug or insect intruder. If the Portia has encountered this type of spider before, then it will remember what rhythm pattern to use in order to achieve success. The Portia labiata has great eye sight and has been seen using incredible instinctive behavior. The spider uses a planned trial-and-error approach to hunting and shows a strong cognitive base. As the prey comes and goes, the spider will sit and wait for hours until it has a perfect moment to strike. Subsequently, plotting ahead and understanding that the meal will eventually return. These spiders have also shown signs of selective attention by identifying specific objects and prey over others.

9. Rats

There are hundreds of rat species throughout the world. Rats are one of the most studied and tested animals on the planet. They have been research and test subjects for numerous famous and influential physiological studies. The reason for this is that a rat’s psychology is similar to humans and they are great for experimental comparisons. All rats learn new behaviors and tricks very easily. A 2007 study found that rats possess metacognition, which is a mental ability that has previously only been documented in humans and some primates. Rats have an amazing sense of smell and hearing. They have been trained to detect land mines and bombs. Recent research and technology has suggested that rats can even smell and identify human sputum samples infected with tuberculosis. These animals are incredible at solving mazes. Rats are social creatures and display signs of remorse, excitement, loss, and stress. They dream in a very similar way as humans. They also show amazing organizational and grooming techniques. Just remember, rats are smart and friendly creatures so don’t fear them. I included this funny rat clip.

8. Ravens & Crows

I have bundled these two together because they are both members of the corvidae family of birds. This family is widely considered the most intelligent of all birds. Crows top the avian IQ scale, which is a scientific test to determine bird intelligence. They can count, distinguish complex shapes, and perform observational learning tasks. Crows are extremely social creatures and will engage in mid-air jousting to establish pecking order. Wild hooded crows in Israel have learned to use bread crumbs as fish bait, thinking in advance and anticipating the catch. The New Caledonian Crow has been intensely studied because of its ability to use tools in its every day search for food. This includes creating knives which are cut from leaves and stalks of grass. They also use advanced plucking, smoothing, and bending of twigs and grass stems to produce a variety of food substances. Ravens are similar to crows, but larger in size. Both species are black in color and the main difference is in their vocalizations. Ravens perform many of the same behaviors as crows, but they have been recognized for their ability to drop nuts, clams, muscles, and shells on to the highway, wait for a car to run them over, and then gather the prize.

7. The Border Collie

The Border Collie is widely considered the smartest dog breed in the world. They usually spend their time sheep herding and handling many forms of livestock, but also make a great pet. With physical exercise and various forms of mental stimulation these dogs are the quickest to learn. The breed originated on the Scottish, Welsh, and English border and the dogs made an instant impact on the farming industry. It has been determined that in certain areas of the Australian Outback a trained collie will do five times the amount of work that a human could manage. The Border Collie dominates dog sports above all other breeds. They excel at high jump, utility courses, fly-ball, and can even take first place in dog dancing competitions. They have an amazing sense of smell and are widely regarded as great tracking dogs. They can be trained as drug dogs or in search and rescue as well. This dog will clearly recognize you as an individual personality, they will learn your routine, anticipate what will happen next, and find ways to get what they want.

6. North Pacific Giant Octopus

This creature lives in the depths of the ocean. They belong to the cephalopod family and the mollusk class. All species of cephalopods are known to have incredible intellectual ability. The octopus is considered the smartest invertebrate alive. In experimental conditions these animals have displayed both short and long term memory. They have incredible observational learning and problem solving ability. Octopuses have an extremely large nervous system, but only a portion is found in their brain. Around two-thirds of an octopus’ neurons are found in cords around and in its arms. There arms have a remarkably large autonomy. They are masters of mimicry and camouflage. They are professional escape artists and can often be found in the hull of crabbing boats, feeding on the catch. These animals have incredibly keen eyesight, sense of touch, and are very fast. There are reports of a North Pacific Giant Octopus reaching 600 pounds, with an arm span of 30 feet. They don’t make great pets or zoo attractions. In one recent story, an octopus flooded the Santa Monica Pier Aquarium by turning a valve and allowing hundreds of gallons of water to overflow the tank.

5. African Grey Parrot

The African Grey is a species of parrot that is found in the West and Central African rainforest. Parrots have long been able to show that they can mimic human speech, but the African Grey can associate words with their meaning and form small sentences. These birds communicate with each other through song, calls, and body language.African Grey ’s can easily be trained to have conversations and perform activities. They are accomplished mimics, recreating voices and household noises perfectly. One specific example is Alex the bird. Alex can identify more then fifty objects, seven colors, five shapes, and a numerical value up to six. He understands the difference between big and small, over and under, and has even showed comprehension of emotion by telling his handlers “gonna go away” when becoming bored with testing. Then there is the story of theAfrican Grey Parrot in Nagarey, Japan who was lost by his owners, wounded, and sent to a veterinary hospital. While in the hospital the bird began to talk with the vet proclaiming “I am Mr. Yosuke Nakamura.” He also gave his full home address right down to the last number. Sure enough he was right and returned to home, but not before entertaining the hospital with song and dance.

4. Elephants

There are three living species of elephants, the African Bush Elephant, African Forest Elephant, and the Asian Elephant. All breeds are thought to inherit the same genetic genius. In many cultures elephants are seen as a symbol of wisdom and are known for their incredible memories. They create mental maps and are said to remember exact locations of watering and feeding holes they haven’t visited for years. An elephant’s brain is the largest of any land animal. Elephants have incredible hearing and they use both their ears and trunk to listen. They communicate by bellows, roars, trumpet-like calls, and can even transmit sound over long distances using the ground. These animals are one of few species that have displayed mirror self recognition and can identify themselves as independent. This is considered a base test for empathy, altruism, and higher social interactions in a species. Elephants have been noted performing a wide variety of behaviors. Including actions associated with grief, making music, compassion, play, and advanced use of tools. Elephants have an incredible sense for artistic achievement. They can paint portraits that express themselves. Check out this amazing video of an elephant painting a three-dimensional picture of another elephant.

3. Rhesus Macaque Monkey

Besides humans, the macaque genus is the most widespread in the world. The Rhesus Monkey is well known for its intelligence and because of this has been used extensively in biological and medical research. These animals have an incredible memory, ability to learn, and make self-decisions. They use facial expressions that are very similar and understood by humans. Rhesus Monkey’s have displayed suicidal tendencies, planned attack, and are very socially complex animals. They have detailed vocal systems that share similarities with human communication. Work on the genome sequencing of the Rhesus Monkey was completed in 2007, making it the second non-human primate to have this done. It showed that humans and macaques share 93% of their genetic DNA. The human and macaque chromosomes are mosaics of each other. This species of monkey, along with many others, has been used for monkey-baiting throughout history. This is a roman style fight between monkey’s and other exotic animals. Monkey’s performed admirably in these competitions, winning with intelligence. From this spawned the legend of Jacco Macacco, who was a celebrated monkey gladiator. With incredible technique and precision he usually dispatched of his opponent in three minutes or less.

2. Bottlenose Dolphins

The cetacean family, consisting of dolphins and whales are considered the smartest animals inhabiting the ocean. The Bottlenose Dolphin lives in warm waters throughout the world and is the smartest species of dolphin. It has an extremely large brain and its cerebral cortex and frontal lobe are 40% bigger then a human. The cerebral cortex is the area of the brain responsible for social communication, abstract information processing, problem solving, and higher lever intelligence. Bottlenose dolphins are very easily trained. They have been found to have the ability to reason, plan, solve problems, think abstractly, comprehend ideas, and learn from previous experiences. They use echolocation to hunt prey and certain forms of squeaks and whistles to communicate with each other. It is also interesting to see that in many occasions these dolphins show remorse for other species and signs of a conscious. In one recent story, a local dolphin named Moko saved two beached Pygmy Sperm Whales in New Zealand. The whales had been stranded for hours when Moko showed up and led the pair through the sand bars to safety. It was a glorious sight for locals and made national news.

1. Common Chimpanzee

These animals can be found in the tropical forests and wet savannas of Western and Central Africa. Chimpanzee’s learn, perform organizational thinking tasks, and have a better memory then any other animal. They have been known to defeat college educated people in memory exams. They can be taught to use computers to solve numerical problems. This animal can quickly adapt and perform sign language to communicate with humans. Chimps have been observed using advanced knowledge of tools. This includes creating spears to retrieve animals out of small holes in trees, using branches to lure and catch prey, using stones to crack nuts, and leaf sponges to soak up water. They have been viewed using tactical attack maneuvers, such as flanking their prey. They often use mental manipulation within their families. The Chimpanzee Genome Project was completed in 2005. It showed that chimps share 98% of the same genetic DNA as humans. It has been approximately four to six million years since humans and chimpanzee’s diverged from their common evolutionary ancestor. Recently, chimpanzees have been seen teaching sign language to their infants without human interference. We have just begun to understand the chimpanzees true mental capabilities.