How Smart Are Animals, Really?

{And there is no creature on [or within] the earth or bird that flies with its wings except [that they are] communities like you. We have not neglected in the Register a thing. Then unto their Lord they will be gathered.} [Surat Al-Anʿam 6:38].

This Qur’anic chapter itself is named “Al-An’am” which means animals or cattle in Arabic. And there are five other Qur’anic chapters with names of living organisms: Al-Baqarah (Cow), An-Naml (Ants), Al-‘ankabut (Spider), Al-Fyl (Elephant), and An-Nahl (Bees).

Allah always calls upon humans to observe animals (such as the flight of birds, or the camel) as a marvel of creation, and sign of God’s omnipotence and wisdom.

And scientists are the best humans who have obeyed this calling from Allah Almighty. They managed to study and understand the miraculous creations of these living organisms which share the Cosmos with us.

Smart Animals

One of their most amazing qualifications is their smart brains which Allah have created for them. The biological field of studying animal cognition developed quickly upon comparative psychology.

In fact, researchers have examined primates, cetaceans, elephants, dogs, cats, horses, livestock, raccoons and rodents. In addition, they’ve studied birds (including parrots, corvids and pigeons), reptiles, fish and invertebrates like cephalopods, spiders and several other insects.

This video will show you how neurologists study the brains of animals and thus understand their intelligence and mental capabilities.