Interesting Animal Facts

There are many things we can learn from the brains of animals. Knowing how animals' brains function helps scientists better understand the human brain.

Here are some interesting facts about how animals use their brains:

Honeybees are considered to be the smartest insects. Scientists have found that unlike some insects, bees often plan ahead when looking for food so they can find it easily when it is needed. Honeybees also have specific jobs to do in their hives. In addition to laying eggs, the queen bee is in charge of her colony. Worker bees have many jobs including building the hive; collecting pollen, nectar, and water; and taking care of the young.

Rhinoceroses have brains that are smaller than their noses! This may not make rhinos the most intelligent animals, but they do have a great sense of smell. As a rhino takes in a scent, its brain processes that information. This tells the animal a lot about the object it is smelling.

Groundhogs and beavers use their brains to build their homes. It is believed that these animals have an image of their future homes in mind before they start to burrow in the ground or build a lodge. Using this "mental blueprint," they plan where to put their homes and how to make sure their houses fit their needs.

Ravens are highly intelligent birds. Some of these creatures have even learned what green and red traffic signals mean. Scientists have observed ravens waiting at busy city crosswalks in Japan.

When the traffic light changes from red to green, these birds walk out to the middle of the intersection, leave nuts in the road, then return to the sidewalk before the light changes to red again. Back on the sidewalk, the ravens wait as cars run over the nuts in the road. When the light changes again, the ravens step off the sidewalk to collect their freshly-cracked-open nuts!

Chimpanzees are considered the most intelligent animals next to humans. Even at a young age, chimps learn how to use simple tools such as twigs, which they use to dig insects out of logs. These primates can also be taught to count and to use sign language to communicate. They even know about medicine! Through watching their mothers, young chimpanzees in the wild learn which berries and plants to eat when they are feeling sick.

Do animals cry? It is believed that some do. When a baby mouse is unhappy because it is cold or hungry, it will start crying. Also, some scientists believe that elephants cry when they are sad, especially at losing a calf or adult member of their herd.

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