Are whales and dolphins intelligent?
The brain size of these mammals, the ability of dolphins to learn tricks and popular folklore have all contributed to the myth of the intelligent cetacean. However: • The anatomy of whale brains is nothing exceptional. As well, the size and apparent complexity of the brains of these mammals is not a measure of intelligence. • The tricks learned in captivity are often simply an extension of natural dolphin behaviour, similar to what a dog can do, for example. A recent study of the common dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) demonstrated that these animals share with humans and monkeys a very rare trait in the animal world, namely the ability to recognize themselves in a mirror. Should we interpret this ability as a sign of exceptional intelligence? Cetaceans are animals that are well adapted to the challenges of their natural environment. We are sometimes surprised by their behaviour because we still have a lot to learn about their lives. To assume that they are more intelligent than other anim
