There are many different animals on our planet. Each species has certain mental abilities. And although our smaller brothers are significantly inferior to humans in terms of intelligence, sometimes they are simply amazing. Surely everyone had a question about the most stupid animal in the world. Some scholars even conducted special studies to determine the most stupid representative of the animal kingdom. What conclusions did they come to? Has the dumbest animal on the planet been identified? This will be discussed in the article.
Intelligence in animals
According to Darwin, our smaller brothers are not stupid machines, and their mental development is not so hopeless. The scientist also believed that all of them, to a certain extent, are inherent in the ability to rational activity. Subsequently, one of Darwin's students in his book scientifically analyzed the intelligence of animals. Other scholars have opposed such an assessment of the abilities of our smaller brothers. In one of his books, Lloyd Morgan said that higher-order intelligence develops on the basis of more primitive ones. Thus, in his work the psychological scale of mental abilities was presented. And although this theory has significantly influenced the development of animal psychology, in our time it is no good.
A study of the structure of the brain and the abilities of various representatives of the animal kingdom allowed us to conclude that our smaller brothers, in different environmental conditions, demonstrate a wide range of types of mental activity.
The definition of mental ability in a comparative aspect
More recently, the level of mental activity in animals was determined due to abilities, on the basis of which they usually recognize the indicator of intelligence in humans. Thanks to the modern test, you can find out the possibilities for memorization, arithmetic and logic, the formation of concepts and language. Animals have an amazing ability for something specific. Even well-trained representatives of our younger brothers are not able to compare with a person in terms of language abilities. Does this fact mean the dominance of human intelligence or its high specialization regarding the use of language?
When it comes to comparing the mental abilities of various representatives of the animal kingdom, it is rather problematic to develop an objective test in all senses. Often, many of the existing methods in the end made it possible to obtain completely different results for animals of the same species when using one or another type of equipment used.
Alan Portman Mental Scale
Thanks to a professor from the Zoological Institute in Basel, it was possible to determine the most stupid animal in the world. The fruit of Alan Portman's work in the early twentieth century was the scale of mental abilities. Moreover, its results are very unusual.
An honorable first place with 214 points is held by a person. There is no doubt about the favorite, because it is not in vain that we are leading in the chain of evolution. In second place, slightly giving way to humans, dolphins are located. In aquatic mammals, 195 points are indicated on a scale. Dolphin behavior indicates a high degree of mental development. Closing the top three leaders of the most intelligent animal elephants with 150 points.
Monkeys, which, according to many scientists, are the ancestors of humans, are in fourth place. At the same time, four-armed mammals scored only 63 points. According to the scale of mental abilities, the most stupid animals are hippos. Clumsy mammals could earn only 18 points. Thus, their level of intelligence is very low.
Description of Hippos
Who would have thought that some of the largest modern land animals are the most stupid, according to Professor Alan Portman. Often the weight of seasoned males reaches 3 tons. It is no coincidence that the hippo's brain is very large in absolute terms. However, with respect to body volume, it is extremely small. If a person’s brain weighs on average 1/40 of the mass of the whole organism, then a hippopotamus only 1/2789. Most likely, this fact played a key role in the fact that some of the largest modern land animals are in the very last place on the scale of mental abilities of a professor from the Zoological Institute in Basel.
Hippopotamus
A characteristic feature of the largest modern land animals is a semi-aquatic lifestyle. The most stupid animal in the world (photo with description - in the article) only at night for several hours go to land for feeding. During the day, hippos practically do not leave the water.
It is in the aquatic environment that the most dumb animals in the world are born. It is no accident that clumsy mammals master swimming much faster than walking. At first, the cubs ride on the backs of their mothers, and subsequently with a little help. Hippos that have matured are excellent swimmers and divers, being able to cross long distances and stay under water for about 5 minutes. On land, the most stupid animals in the world, although they seem awkward, can nevertheless sometimes overcome long transitions.
Hippo low intelligence is not a hindrance to survival
And although clumsy mammals do not shine with quick wits, this fact does not affect their ability to survive. Some of the largest modern land animals live in packs that always have a leader. Due to their impressive size, huge strength and long fangs, even lions and Nile crocodiles are quite difficult to compete with hippos. As a means of protection against parasites, dust and dirt are actively used.
Hippopotamus cannot be tamed
Probably none of the people thought about why circuses lack numbers with hippos. During performances, you can often see dogs, monkeys and even elephants. However, hippos continue to be a pipe dream for many circuses.
The status of the most stupid animal on the planet is manifested in the fact that clumsy mammals lack a tendency to learn. A hippopotamus cannot be tamed like a monkey or a dog. Some of the largest animals can become very aggressive towards people who try to teach them how to perform in a circus.
Are smart pets?
Many owners of cats, dogs, hamsters and other animals attribute to their pets the opportunity to think. However, do our lesser brothers really have mental abilities? Many scientists in unison claim that this is not so. In their opinion, animals cannot perceive information that carries any words. They are only able to respond to emotional coloring and stress. Thus, it is not the words themselves that matter to pets, but only a combination of sounds.
Many animals play a key role in human life, despite ongoing debate about their intelligence. For example, dogs are indispensable for border guards and rescuers. Dolphins are actively used for military purposes. Even hippos, which are considered the most stupid animals, manage to survive successfully. Thus, the definition of the mental ability of animals in our time continues to be a very relative occupation.