ANIMAL WITS

What is the second smartest animal on the planet? 10 brilliant creatures

Image: Louan García

While humans often pride themselves on their intelligence, the animal kingdom is filled with creatures whose smarts might surprise you. From advanced problem-solving skills to complex social systems, some animals demonstrate intelligence in ways that challenge our understanding of cognition.

Let's dive into the deep world of animal intellect and discover 10 species that are way smarter than you might think.

Image: Anna Roberts

Chimpanzees share about 98.8% of their DNA with humans, and their intelligence reflects this close relationship. They can learn sign language, use tools, and even demonstrate empathy. Chimpanzees have complex social groups and show remarkable problem-solving abilities, using sticks to extract termites from mounds or rocks to crack open nuts.

Image: Nam Anh

Elephants do have steel-trap memories, as their large brains evolved to allow them to remember complex routes and the location of key watering holes over vast distances. They also exhibit emotional intelligence, displaying human-like behaviors such as comforting distressed herd members and mourning their dead.

Image: K. Mitch Hodge

With their complex nervous system and ability to solve puzzles, octopuses are some of the most intelligent species in the animal kingdom. Besides being masters of deceit, capable of camouflaging with their surroundings and making daring escapes, they can display complex behaviors like opening jars, navigating mazes, and mimicking other creatures. Some individuals even learn to fashion makeshift weapons out of highly venomous Portuguese man o' war tentacles.

Image: Tyler Quiring

Crows are among the most intelligent birds, capable of using tools and solving multi-step puzzles. They've been observed crafting hooks out of twigs to extract insects from hard-to-reach places and even dropping nuts onto busy roads to let passing cars crack them open for them. Researchers even think crows are capable of self-awareness, and their intelligence has been compared to that of great apes like gorillas, proving that brain size isn’t always a direct indicator of brainpower.

Image: Talia Cohen

Dolphins are not only highly social creatures but also remarkably intelligent. Some scientists even believe they are the second smartest animal on the planet, only next to humans! Dolphins are very quick learners and have repeatedly proved to be self-aware, easily passing the mirror test. Also, they communicate through a sophisticated system of clicks and whistles, are capable of making and using simple tools, and exhibit a complex set of emotions.

Image: Kenneth Schipper Vera

Pigs are often underestimated, but they possess impressive cognitive abilities. They can learn tricks, solve problems, and even play video games! Pigs have excellent long-term memories and can adapt to new environments quickly. On average, they are even considered to be smarter than dogs, approximating the intelligence of 4-year-old children.

Image: Ilona Frey

Just like crows, parrots are exceptionally intelligent, and not only among their avian peers. Parrots are renowned for their ability to mimic human speech, but their intelligence goes beyond mere mimicry. They can solve puzzles, use tools, and demonstrate a deep understanding of concepts such as object permanence.

Image: slyfox photography

Rats are highly adaptable creatures with excellent problem-solving skills. They can navigate complex mazes, learn from observation, and even demonstrate empathy by freeing trapped companions. For this reason, they are often used in laboratory settings, both to learn more about mammal intelligence and to test complex behaviors.

Image: Thomas Lipke

Orcas, also known as killer whales, can be terrifyingly clever. One of the most adaptable predators in the seas, orcas owe a large part of their success to their astounding intelligence. They have distinct dialects and complex social lives, but what sets them apart from other cetaceans are their highly specialized hunting strategies. Even more strangely, some populations used to hunt alongside human whalers, alerting humans of the presence of whales and guiding them to their location in exchange for scraps.

Image: MD_JERRY

While individual ants might not seem very smart by themselves, collectively, they exhibit remarkable intelligence. Similarly to a brain composed of individual neurons, an anthill effectively behaves as one "superorganism" composed by many individual ants. The anthill creates large structures and ingeniously gathers nearby resources to keep itself alive. But even at the individual level, ants are capable of navigating complex environments, communicating through chemical signals, and coordinating group activities easily.

IMPRESS IN BRUTALIST FASHION

Go On An Urban Safari With These 12 Architectural Terms

Image: Ricardo Gomez Angel

The realm of architecture is riddled with idioms that describe styles, technical features, concepts, and a million more things that make this ancient combination of art and science what it is.

Knowing a few of these terms can certainly be useful for impressing people in casual conversation but it can also prove valuable in understanding some of the key aspects of architecture. From gables to fenestrations, from Gothic to Brutalist architecture, the myriad of words in this discipline can confuse almost everyone. So, read on and learn about some of them.

Image: Zibik

Derived from the Italian word balaustro, meaning "wild pomegranate flower", the baluster stands as a vertical pillar, typically slender and often intricately adorned, supporting railings along staircases, balconies, or terraces.

These architectural elements showcase both functionality and aesthetic finesse, adding a touch of elegance to structures. Serving as guardians of safety, balusters seamlessly blend form and function, illustrating the nuanced language that architects use to craft the spaces we inhabit.

Image: Michael Elliott

Coming from the Old French word finir, meaning "to finish", the finial is a crowning jewel, a decorative ornament that graces the summits of structures, be they spires, gables, or sometimes even furniture.

With origins deeply rooted in medieval architecture, finials evolved from functional elements to exquisite expressions of craftsmanship. These sculpted finales, akin to miniature sculptures, punctuate the skyline and rooflines, completing architectural narratives with flair.

Image: Chuttersnap

The term "cornice" comes as a defining feature, gracing buildings with a touch of grandeur. Originating from the Italian word cornice, meaning ledge, this architectural flourish sits proudly at the meeting point of walls and roofs, marking the transition from structure to sky.

Serving both functional and aesthetic purposes, cornices act as protective overhangs, shielding edifices from the elements while bestowing a visual exclamation point to their design. From the ornate cornices adorning historic buildings to the sleek, modern iterations of contemporary architecture, these elevated ledges narrate the tales of different eras and styles.

Image: Ries Bosch

A word derived from the Middle Frenchdormeor, meaning "sleeping room", dormers are akin to architectural eyelids, projecting windows vertically from a sloping roof. These structures not only invite natural light into attics and upper spaces but also introduce a captivating aesthetic rhythm to the roofline.

Dormers have adapted to various styles from Gothic to Colonial, each time giving spaces a sense of character and uniqueness.

Image: Ricardo Gomez Angel

The term "cantilever" expresses a sort of defiance of gravity, a structural marvel that challenges conventional supports. Derived from the medieval Latin word cantileverium, meaning a "bracket" or "beam", cantilevers extend boldly from a building's main structure, seemingly suspended in mid-air.

These architectural marvels appear in everything from daring modern residences to iconic skyscrapers. Cantilevers not only push the boundaries of design but also serve practical purposes, creating overhangs, balconies, or awe-inspiring architectural feats.

Image: Sara Sadehloo

Rooted in the ancient Greek word konops, meaning a covering or mosquito net, canopies are architectural appendages that transcend mere utility. These overhead structures, be they stretched over entrances, walkways, or outdoor spaces, offer protection from the elements while bestowing an aesthetic flourish.

From the intricate designs adorning historical structures to the sleek, modern lines of contemporary designs, canopies dually serve as functional guardians and artistic statements.

Image: David Taljat

An arcade is a series of contiguous arches supported by columns or other vertical elements. It comes from the Italian word arcata which means, quite literally, "arch". These successions of arches, often forming covered walkways or open galleries, can be seen in both ancient structures and modern urban landscapes.

Whether framing crowded shopping malls or adorning historical buildings, arcades seamlessly blend aesthetic charm with functional allure.

Image: Joseph Corl

Gables adorn roofs with a distinct silhouette that speaks to architectural heritage. Derived from the Old Frenchgable or gabulum, meaning "end of a building", a gable is the triangular portion of a wall between the edges of a sloping roof.

Whether gracing the facades of historic cottages or modern structures, gables add a touch of elegance and visual interest to the skyline. These peaked beauties, often embellished with decorative elements, symbolize the meeting point of form and function.

Image: Nathan Cima

A quite elegant word in itself, an "architrave" is an element that graces the transitions between columns and structures. Derived from the Greek words archi, meaning "chief", and trabe, meaning "beam", the architrave serves as the principal beam resting atop columns, forming an essential part of classical architectural orders.

This horizontal member, though often understated, bears the weight of the entablature, symbolizing the subtle elegance that defines architectural cohesion. Whether in ancient temples or contemporary buildings, architraves showcase a marriage of function and aesthetics, illustrating the enduring influence of classical principles in shaping our built environments.

Image: J. M Read

A "buttress" is a steadfast guardian, supporting structures with a blend of strength and purpose. Derived from the Old French word bouteresse, meaning a prop or support, a buttress is an external architectural feature designed to counteract the lateral thrust exerted by a building, particularly in the case of large or Gothic structures.

These architectural reinforcements come in various forms, from flying buttresses gracefully spanning cathedral walls to massive earthbound counterparts.

Image: Scott Webb

In the world of architecture, "cladding" unveils itself as the outer skin, a protective and aesthetic layer that dresses buildings in a myriad of materials. Rooted in the Middle English word "clad," meaning clothed, cladding is the art of enveloping structures to shield them from the elements while shaping their visual identity.

Whether manifesting as sleek glass panels on modern skyscrapers or rustic stone on historic structures, cladding reflects the character and purpose of a building.

Image: Kenrick Baksh

"Fenestration" is the art of placement and design of windows and other openings in a building's facade. Coming from the Latin word fenestra, meaning "window", fenestration goes beyond mere openings, including the arrangement, size, and style of windows to shape the visual and functional aspects of a structure.

Whether framing panoramic views in contemporary skyscrapers or punctuating historical buildings with rhythmic precision, fenestration is the orchestration of light, ventilation, and aesthetics.