THINKING ABOUT ANIMAL IQ

All mammals, from humans to dogs, tigers, wolves and zebras, have beliefs which they unthinkingly trust to guide and protect them.

Barbara "BJ" Andrews, Member SAAB

May 14, 2025

What?!! Did I say Unthinkingly? How “thoughtless” of me! We’re told animals can’t think but if you believe that, you don’t have a dog!

You know www.TheDogPress.com & www.TheDogPlace.org covers multiple animal species and since you are a thinker, we think you will find this interesting.

When scientists devised a way to test the intelligence of gorillas they were astounded by a female named Koko that consistently scored an IQ of more than 80 points! By comparison, human IQ (Intelligence Quotient) is between 70-130 with an average of 100 points. Albert Einstein’s IQ was estimated at 160.

So here we have a gorilla with human-level intelligence!

No one knows how animals think and in fact we are led to believe animals can’t “think.” But when we thought about it, we knew better… And here, in Koko the gorilla, I think we have proof that animals can think.

As a dog owner, you think that is true. As a professional dog trainer you KNOW that is true.

We humans are (self-proclaimed) the most intelligent mammal but does that mean we are superior to all other creatures? Does any animal other seek us as a companion? Only the dog. I hear you thinking again… “That’s because we feed them.” But wait, we feed lots of animals and they only come for the food whereas your dog, even a strange dog, will come without the treat, just because you invited him or her.

What would Koko do if she was given her freedom. Would she thank us? Would she realize what we did for her. Or would she just bolt without thinking?

Tell us what you think on our TheDogPress Facebook page. If you give us permission, we may select your response or experience with thinking animals in a follow up edition.

Watch KoKo The Gorilla in TheDogPlace's Video Theater.

TheDogPress.com EST 2002 © May 2025 https://www.thedogpress.com/editorials/Thinking-about-animal-IQ-b25A052.asp

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