Animal intelligence

Dolphins playing

Baby dolphins babble when they learn language, just like humans do

Science

Every human language that’s been tested follows a similar pattern, called Zipf’s law. Now researchers are looking to see if non-human languages, like what dolphins and whales use, follow a similar structure.

A chimpanzee holds a grey blanket up in a tree.

From fashion to tools, animal behaviors are often surprisingly human

Science
Bombus affinis, the rusty patched bumblebee.

How do tiny little bee brains do so much?

Science
The "Octopus Church" is an octagonal church on the island of Moorea in French Polynesia. It's built over a ceremonial site for an octopus deity.

The octopus church of French Polynesia may have you rethink your next seafood dinner

Environment
Two high ranking male chimps bond.

A ‘lexicon’ of chimp gestures may tell us things about our own language

Environment

That goat may be a whole lot smarter than it looks

Environment

Through a new study, researchers in Switzerland and the UK have discovered that goats are actually quite intelligent — much more than previously thought.

That goat may be a whole lot smarter than it looks

Environment

Through a new study, researchers in Switzerland and the UK have discovered that goats are actually quite intelligent — much more than previously thought.

The World

Alex (1976  ? 2007)

Author Sy Montgomery remembers Alex the African Grey parrot who was instrumental to research on animals’ ability to communicate.