According to Vonk (2016), animal intelligence is determined by both the species and environmental factors surrounding them. The immediate surrounding governs how they communicate and react towards different things. Although animal intelligence is hardly as defined as in humans, it plays a fundamental role in understanding the behavior of different species on earth.
Most animals have no defined means of communication, however, they may use sound or different signs to communicate to one another. For different species, the code of communication is often dissimilar. For instance, wolves usually howl when communicating to members of their pack at a long distance. Depending on the pitch of the sound produced in this case, pack members will understand the intention of the howl, in which it might indicate danger, source of food, or weather changes.
Another commonly communicating species are the chickens. In the morning, the cork crows to alert both chicken and human beings of dawn. Mother hens will also produce unique sounds to alert the chicks of existing danger, especially cases of invasion by eagles. Cognition among them is clearly observed by the way the chicks will immediately hide below their mother for security.
The major difference between intelligence in humans and animals is the fact that humans have developed language. Human surroundings allow for critical thinking to make better decisions. Animals are primarily in a survival scheme that necessitates higher levels of alertness. The facet elaborates why rats have a better hearing ability as compared to humans. Owls are able to communicate using human language because of mastering different words through their listening skills.
Personally, I think most animals are intelligent, just that their levels vary from one species to another. While interacting with cats, I noticed they are able to adjust their sleeping pattern based on their owner’s. It was fascinating because most people consider them to be dumb.