Friends, Not Food.

I found these cute descriptions in National Geographic and I can't help but share them. It explains the different intelligence levels of several different types of animals. I thought it was adorable and hopefully you will too!

Each description was determined through studies done at various aquariums, zoos, or universities, etc.
(which has been listed below each description).

Giant Pacific Octopus

Has distinct personality, uses tools, recognizes individuals
National Aquarium in Baltimore, MD

"With sizable brains and dexterous arms, octopuses are known to block their dens with rocks and amuse themsevles shooting water at plastic-bottle targets (the first reported invertebrate play behavior) and at lab staff. They may even express basic emotions by changing color, says Seattle Aquarium's Roland Anderson."

African Cichlid

Determines social rank through observation, a step on the way to logical reasoning.
Stanford University, Stanford, CA

African Grey Parrot

Counted; knew colors, shapes, and sizes; had basic grasp of the abstract concept of zero.
Brandeis University, Waltham, MA

Asian Elephant

Retains long memories and social ties; possesses a sense of self.
National Zoo, Washington, DC

Black Leicester Longwool

Sheep recognize individual faces and remember them long term.
Hopping Acres Farm, Bruceton Mills, WV

New Caledonian Crow

Solves problems and creates and uses tools--once thought the domain solely of primates.
Oxford University, Oxford, United Kingdom

Border Collie

Retains an ever growing vocabulary that rivals that of a toddler's.
Vienna, Austria

So fun to see that animals have people like qualities too! I love that the elephant has a sense of self, and that the octopus can show emotion by changing colors.

Just more proof that "[Animals] are friends, not food!"

All of the information for this post is courtesy of National Geographic Magazine.