Dogs and horses , among many species that spend time around humans , are able to recognize body language queues that are lost on us .
Many species can do stuff we can ? t even imagine : bats that map out space with echolocation ; birds that figure out the complex mechanics of flight and landing ; and ticks that identify passing mammals by the smell of butyric acid .
We know human animals are extremely smart . We know that , in so many ways , we rule the kingdom that is Planet Earth . We know this because we have forced , both intentionally and unintentionally , so many other species on the globe to fit Koko the Gorilla signs a kiss to Kitten . into our world . But our greatest strength is also one of our biggest downfalls , as it has overshadowed our understanding and compassion for non-human life . What we can ? t seem to wrap our heads around , for the most part , is that other species may actually be just as clever as us , but in their own ways .
As De Waal explains , ? It seems highly unfair to ask if a squirrel can count to ten if counting is not really what a squirrel ? s life is about .? ? The squirrel is very good at retrieving nuts , though , and some birds are absolute experts ? . That we can ? t compete with squirrels and nutcrackers on this task ? I even forget where I parked my car ? is irrelevant , since our species does not need this kind of memory for survival the way forest animals braving a freezing winter do ,? he continues .
? Almost every week there is a new finding regarding sophisticated animal cognition , often with compelling videos to back it up ,? he writes . ? We hear that rats may regret their own decisions , that crows manufacture tools , that octopuses recognize human faces , and that special neurons allow monkeys to learn from each other ? s mistakes . We speak openly about culture in animals and about their empathy and friendships . Nothing is off limits anymore , not even the rationality that was once considered humanity ? s trademark .?
The facts are there , and new research continues to unfold shocking discoveries , but it ? s really about us humans being smart enough to understand that we ? re not the only smart ones . And then , the real test from there , is to see if we can use that understanding to act accordingly and change our ways .
Al exa Erickson Newport Beach , California and writer for Collective-Evolution . com .
Inspired by balance , Alexa finds that her true inner peace comes from executing a well-rounded lifestyle . An avid yogi , hiker , beach bum , music and art enthusiast , salad aficionado , adventure seeker , animal lover , and professional writer , she is an active individual who loves to express herself through the power of words .
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