How intelligent are living beings?

[Polar]

(07-25-2016, 08:14 PM)chaos Wrote:

(07-25-2016, 02:26 AM)tigerluver Wrote: However, inventiveness is very unique, but not exclusive (see different dolphin cultures and their innovative hunting methods) to humans.  

Killer whales, in particular, have shown to be quite creative in their hunting methods. I've seen videos which reflect
their ability to overcome obstacles and succeed during the hunt.

Agreed. Even land carnivores implement innovation and invention in new hunting strategies.

Early in mainland-China tiger evolution, deer and other small prey were hunted more often, and as a result, tigers were actually more streamlined and lighter (and less robust). As they moved into west China and India, their prey were much larger and slower, and as a result, they had to implement more ambush strategies, which then resulted in larger tigers. This is environmental innovation.

There is also the case of individual innovation instead of environmental innovation. There are cases of very large tigers (clearly the ones that hunt large prey) preferring to hunt smaller and faster prey simply because they want to gain experience killing smaller prey. That is in case the big prey severly declines in numbers. 

Same happens to polar bears. 

In my opinion, all animals (including us, obviously) have some sort of "innovation/invention" to further their lives. Beaver dams for beavers, tree holes for squirrels, "carcass holes" for a bear's prey, sophisticated nests designed against strong wind/water currents for sea-type birds, and spears for humans' prey. These are a few examples. Reply