What is the smartest land mammal, besides humans?

Answer 1

None of the previous answers is correct. The correct answer is: The ELEPHANT.

They have language and social structure that we are only just now beginning to appreciate. They are also self-aware, and able to solve complext problems.

For example:

[In India an] elephant was following a truck and, upon command, was pulling logs out of it to place in pre-dug holes in preparation for a ceremony. The elephant continued to follow his master's commands until they reached one hole where the elephant would not lower the log into the hole but held it in mid-air above the hole. When the mahout [elephant driver] approached the hole to investigate, he found a dog sleeping at the bottom; only after chasing the dog away would the elephant lower the post into the hole. (3, p. 137)

[In South Africa] it was observed that an elephant, after digging a hole and drinking water, stripped bark from a nearby tree, chewed it into a large ball, plugged the hole, and covered it with sand. Later he removed the sand, unplugged the hole, and had water to drink. (3, p. 137)

Many young elephants develop the naughty habit of plugging up the wooden bell they wear around their necks with good stodgy mud or clay so that the clappers cannot ring, in order to steal silently into a grove of cultivated bananas at night. There they will have a whale of a time quietly stuffing, eating not only the bunches of bananas but the leaves and indeed the whole tree as well, and they will do this just beside the hut occupied by the owner of the grove, without waking him or any of his family. (1, p.78)

Answer 2

I starred this question because I want to see people opinions.

Keep in mind that humans have trouble pigeon holing our own intelligence so we really can not judge any other animals. There is anecdotal evidence saying the elephant is smart, or the chimp is smart, but who is the smartest? What is your personal definition of smart? Chimps have been recorded as sharpening sticks and using them to probe holes in trees to occassionally spear bush babies to eat. They can apparently recognize themselves as themselves in a mirror and a few can use over 200 sign language words. One even made up her own word 'finger bracelet' for ring! But the elephant stories are about as impressive to me. IF they can be confirmed.

Answer 3

I would say chimpanzees as they are the closest relative of humans... there have been research about them and some are able to learn sign languages.

Although some people believe man's best friend are.

Answer 4

Doubtless it's the chimpanzee (or bonobo, I always forget which is which)

Answer 5

chimp

Answer 6

dog?