Elephants pass intelligence test with profound implications for our understanding of the species
Source: The Independent
Elephants have passed a test of intelligence which scientists say has profound implications for our understanding of their mental capabilities.
They were found to be capable of performing a task that showed they have a level of self-understanding that is rare in the animal world and defeats humans until they are about two years old.
The scientists behind the study said animals capable of this kind of behaviour may also be better at empathising and be able to consider someone elses perspective.
And that could have implications for the way conflicts between humans and elephants should be handled in places where the two species are competing for land and resources.
Read more: http://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/elephants-intelligence-test-pass-profound-implications-understanding-species-dolphins-great-apes-a7680566.html
Elephants have always been a favorite of mine.
Judi Lynn
(160,515 posts)Elephants Recognize Selves in Mirror, Study Says
John Roach
for National Geographic News
October 30, 2006
Elephants can recognize themselves in mirrors, according to a new study. Humans, great apes, and dolphins are the only other animals known to possess this form of self-awareness.
All of these animals also lead socially complex lives and display empathyconcern and understanding of another's feelingsresearchers report.
"There seems to be some correlation between an ability to recognize oneself in a mirror and higher forms of social complexity," said Joshua Plotnik, a graduate student in psychology at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia.
To assess elephants' self-awareness, Plotnik and his colleagues tested three adult female Asian elephants in front of a mirror.
All three pachyderms sized up their mirror images by inspecting behind the mirror, rubbing their trunks the length of the mirror, or probing their mouths with their trunks to see if their reflections did the same.
One elephant named Happy also passed the so-called mark test, repeatedly touching her trunk to a white X painted on her forehead that was only visible in the mirror.
More:
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2006/10/061030-asian-elephants.html
sakabatou
(42,146 posts)Equinox Moon
(6,344 posts)Last edited Thu Apr 13, 2017, 09:31 PM - Edit history (1)
They are amazing creatures. May humans wake-up and start living in harmony with nature and animals, instead of trying to conquer.
Beartracks
(12,806 posts)================
JudyM
(29,225 posts)Last edited Thu Apr 13, 2017, 09:56 PM - Edit history (1)
I know you would love it, Equinox Moon. https://gregorycolbert.com/ashesandsnowGallery.php
Equinox Moon
(6,344 posts)CrispyQ
(36,446 posts)And baby elephants are the cutest babies on the planet.
In a just universe, our entire species would be judged on how it treated the others we inhabit this planet with.
Aristus
(66,310 posts)CrispyQ
(36,446 posts)madokie
(51,076 posts)Love me some Elephants. hell I love all living things
JudyM
(29,225 posts)Thanks for posting this adorableness!
SammyWinstonJack
(44,130 posts)Fast Walker 52
(7,723 posts)Mankind's intelligence is otherwise very much in doubt.
byronius
(7,392 posts)Binkie The Clown
(7,911 posts)Ironically, before the story opens, the dominant species on their home planet had destroyed itself by ruining the environment, at which point the elephants salvaged their technology and replaced them as the dominant species.
captain queeg
(10,153 posts)Isn't that where the idea of using asteroids as weapon began, and of course the military thinks of just putting stuff in orbit so they can drop it where they want at about 40,000 mph?
spiderpig
(10,419 posts)Ironically, a party which espouses activities that contribute to their extinction.
I adore elephants.
Dumbo scarred me for life when I first saw it at about age 3. Animal abuse, separation anxiety, ridicule of the "different".
As we know, elephants are noble, majestic, intelligent creatures that most humans should aspire to emulate.
lark
(23,083 posts)Loathe the party.
LiberalLovinLug
(14,169 posts)and we were left with the donkey, sometimes referred to as an ass.?
Bluepinky
(2,268 posts)I'm an animal lover and believe that all animals have their place in the world. It's hard to top the intelligence and magnificence of elephants, but I would bet that lovingly raised donkeys can be affectionate too.
spiderpig
(10,419 posts)Bluepinky
(2,268 posts)lark
(23,083 posts)I've long wondered about that. My friends have donkeys and love them, but they wouldn't be my first choice for a political symbol. We should have the bald eagle, or wolf.
Soxfan58
(3,479 posts)So they are smarter than republicans!
Duppers
(28,117 posts)My Lab has more understanding, compassion than any Rethugian I know!
Elephants, like dolphins deserve FAR more respect than most humans give them. Most animals do.
According to some sites, at least 30,000 elephants are killed each year. China is banning ivory, as if they won't import illegal ivory.
I donate to stop the slaughter - to save The Elephants and Defenders of Wildlife. I recently made one rethug neighbor uncomfortable when she was talking about her ivory. We must speak up for these intelligent co-inhabitants of our planet.
SammyWinstonJack
(44,130 posts)lunamagica
(9,967 posts)I LOVE elephants!
Sunlei
(22,651 posts)Poor elephants are so stressed around humans and their vehicles.
3catwoman3
(23,969 posts)...humans.
I liked how the elephant almost flattened the motorcycle with its massive foot.
Moostache
(9,895 posts)These conflicts will be resolved the exact same way ALL conflicts between man and nature are today - with brute force, no empathy and zero foresight or consideration for anything beyond the next 12 months.
Humanity itself has become an ecological terrorist. These studies for elephants' intelligence and capacity for feeling and thought will be the next thing to be banned from discussion.
Humans suck. The sooner we are all gone, the better off the ecology of the planet will become....sadly, we are going to be taking down everything larger than a beetle with us...
Number9Dream
(1,560 posts)Blazesweetie
(42 posts)Thanks for posting this. I've seen it before but it never gets old seeing their reunion. The shot at the end with Shirley and Jenny hugging, with their trunks wrapped around each other just made my day.
Number9Dream
(1,560 posts)3catwoman3
(23,969 posts)...every time I watch it.
oldcynic
(385 posts)Farmers in sub-Saharan Africa put up electric fences to keep elephants out of their plantations of fruit trees. The elephants placed tree branches and brush against the fences and, using them as protection, pushed the fences over before strolling in to eat the fruit. Don't think they needed a scientist to tell them they were intelligent.
milestogo
(16,829 posts)machoneman
(4,006 posts)intelligence tests we'd....
Oh, Fuggit! They are dumber than a box of rocks!
adigal
(7,581 posts)At least you get empathy with these magnificent creatures.
I adore them.
kimbutgar
(21,111 posts)And they were saying they had personalities and until they get to know you they would blow dirt in your face while you rode on them. They are highly trainable to also do work such as clearing brush and taking down trees. They also helped in constructing plalaces in Asia.
Kablooie
(18,625 posts)locks
(2,012 posts)and drop pretty big bombs I imagine. Surprised we haven't trained them to do so.
cemaphonic
(4,138 posts)Elephants don't like explosives (who knew?) and having panicked elephants in your army is more of a liability than asset.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Battle_of_Panipat
Delphinus
(11,830 posts)if only more humans could have empathy and be able to consider someone else's perspective ...