Buzz
In 1960, Jane Goodall transformed our understanding of primates when she discovered a chimpanzee stripping twigs and using them to probe termite mounds in search of a tasty meal. Until then, it was widely accepted that only humans could craft tools, but chimps had to share that distinction. And that was only the start of a groundbreaking revelation.
As researchers continue to observe and engage with animals, humans are consistently humbled. Despite sharing the planet with other species for millennia, we are constantly amazed to find that animals can accomplish many things we once believed only humans could do—or even things humans could only dream of achieving. Here are some awe-inspiring feats from our non-human companions.
10. Dolphins Create Their Own Playthings
Young bottlenose dolphins are avid players, and they even craft their own toys for enjoyment. They create bubble rings—shimmering, perfectly formed bubbles that resemble smoke rings a human might blow. However, these bubble rings are made with far greater skill and precision.
First, dolphins use their fins to stir up the water, creating currents that eventually form a whirlpool. Then, they release bubbles by expelling air through their blowholes into the water. These bubbles are drawn into the center of the spinning whirlpool, resulting in a perfect ring of bubbles around the hole in the middle.
These bubble rings maintain their shape, allowing dolphins to play with them. Sometimes, they swim through the rings as if they were hoops, or they create several rings that join together. Other times, they use their noses to push the rings around, much like children rolling a ball.
Dolphins master the art of bubble ring creation through trial and error. For instance, to connect two rings, each one must be flawless. Dolphins keep experimenting until they feel a ring is perfect enough to be joined with another. This ability to experiment and make judgments is a clear demonstration of bottlenose intelligence, as is their creativity in making and playing with these toys. Renowned dolphin researcher Dr. Ken Marten has even suggested that dolphins are so skilled in hydrodynamics that they could be considered 'professors of fluid mechanics.'
9. Orangutans Engage in Piracy
Camp Leakey, located in Borneo, serves as a wildlife sanctuary. Established in 1971, its primary aim is to study orangutan behavior. Thanks to the protection provided at Camp Leakey, the orangutans have had the chance to observe the humans observing them, often outsmarting their researchers. They've also picked up on human activities, from brushing teeth to boating, and have taught these skills to one another.
Those who use dugout canoes on the waterways near Camp Leakey are always cautious about securing their boats. Regardless of how tightly the boats are tied, with double or triple knots, the orangutans have found ways to steal them. One canoe owner decided to submerge his boat in shallow water, hoping to convince the apes it was unusable. But an orangutan simply rocked the boat until the water drained out, allowing the canoe to float again.
The thieving orangutans are experts at using their spoils, as they've also mastered the art of canoeing. Using their long arms, they paddle the boats to their chosen destinations, then leave them behind. On occasion, they've even been seen approaching fishing boats, using the canoes to steal traps full of fish.
It's often said that orangutans are as intelligent as three-and-a-half-year-old children. But what does that suggest about the humans they manage to outwit, stealing their boats for transport? Particularly the Camp Leakey scientists, who hold PhDs?
8. Snakes Have the Ability to Predict Earthquakes
Predicting earthquakes has always been a challenging task for geologists. However, the Nanning Earthquake Bureau has discovered that certain creatures, such as snakes, seem to have an uncanny ability to forecast these tremors. Using 24-hour webcams, the bureau monitors over 100 snake nests on local farms in the Guangxi province of China, where snakes are raised for food.
Nanning scientists keep a close watch on the cameras to spot any unusual behavior from the snakes. This is because the region is seismically active, and local geologists have found a connection between erratic behavior in snakes and the approach of an earthquake.
Jiang Weisong, the head of the Nanning Earthquake Bureau, explains, “When an earthquake is imminent, snakes leave their nests, even in the frigid winter months. If the earthquake is strong, the snakes might even crash into walls while attempting to escape.” Through the webcams, scientists in Nanning have observed snakes trying to flee their nests up to five days before an earthquake strikes. Remarkably, the snakes can detect earthquakes from up to 120 kilometers (75 miles) away.
How the snakes manage to predict earthquakes remains a mystery. It is believed that they may be sensitive to vibrations, sensing seismic waves before an earthquake. Additionally, their ability to detect infrared radiation may allow them to sense temperature changes caused by tectonic plate movements, which often precede earthquakes.
7. Humpback Whales Mastered Advanced Water Techniques
Humpback whales, measuring up to 14 meters (46 feet) in length, feed on tiny creatures like krill and herring. Despite their size, they can consume thousands of pounds of food in a single meal. Instead of teeth, they have baleen plates, which act like strainers. The whales take in massive amounts of fish and seawater, then expel the water while retaining the fish. What's even more remarkable is their remarkable ability to trap their prey using what scientists call 'advanced water technology.'
Humpbacks from various regions use slightly different methods, but generally, they fish in teams of at least two, often more. They first dive to find large schools of fish, then some whales circle beneath them, using vocal sounds to panic the fish and drive them toward the surface. At the same time, one whale creates clouds of tiny bubbles from its blowhole. As it spirals upwards, it forms a circular bubble curtain that traps the fish in the center, preventing them from escaping.
Once trapped by the surface of the water above, the whales below, and the bubble net surrounding them, the prey has no way to escape. The whales then take turns swimming through the center of the bubble net, keeping their mouths wide open to consume as many fish as they can in a single gulp. Once they've finished feeding, they simply move on to the next school of fish, using their advanced water techniques to create a new net.
6. Vervet Monkeys Can Mimic Humans
Ever dreamt of being so irresistibly charming that everyone gathers around to watch you swing from chandeliers? That’s the vibe of vervet monkeys on St. Kitts Island in the Caribbean. With their olive-gold fur and black faces, these mischievous creatures have become an iconic attraction for international tourists, known for their unique party-loving antics.
The vervet monkeys on St. Kitts are the descendants of pets that escaped from slave ships originating from West Africa. Over time, they took to raiding sugar cane fields, feeding on the fermented stalks. Legend has it that this sugar-laced drink gave them a fondness for alcohol. The monkeys are now infamous for stealing tourists’ drinks, often seen near beach bars, where they eagerly climb down from the trees to sip on neglected cocktails.
Some vervet monkeys become so intoxicated that they stumble around the beach, yet tourists can’t help but find them endearing, even when they’re completely drunk. In fact, some beach bars have realized that these tipsy monkeys can actually bring in more business. Other monkeys are also drawn to their inebriated peers, looking up to them as the leaders of their social circle.
Drunken vervets have caught the attention of scientists. A study conducted on the St. Kitts monkeys—who share 96 percent of their genetic makeup with humans—revealed that these monkeys party just like us. Similar to human cocktail parties, some vervet monkeys get tipsy, others become angry, some act promiscuously, and a few go overboard, getting completely smashed.
The vervet monkeys’ drinking patterns mirror those of humans: 15 percent are teetotalers, 65 percent are casual drinkers, 15 percent are heavy drinkers, and 5 percent are binge drinkers who consume alcohol until they pass out. Much like human alcoholics and those suffering from depression, the serious drinkers among the vervets have abnormally low levels of feel-good dopamine when sober. The parallels in human and vervet genetics and brain chemistry are sparking new ideas about combating alcoholism. However, animal rights activists argue that making lab monkeys act like human alcoholics constitutes abuse and must stop.
5. Bearded Dragons Are Game Masters
Are you a pro at Ant Smasher? The addictive video game where you squash ants with your finger while dodging troublesome bees. If you think you’re fast and accurate, you might want to challenge yourself against a real expert in the game, the Pogona vitticeps—better known as the bearded dragon.
Bearded dragons are large lizards native to the Australian desert. They are named for the distinctive scaled dewlap of expandable skin on their throats, which resembles a beard. In captivity, these lizards typically feast on crickets, worms, or even roaches, though their natural appetite is for any tasty bug, including ants. Phillip Gith, an Australian, observed his pet bearded dragon, Crunch, catching bugs with her tongue and became curious about how she'd fare at Ant Smasher.
Gith quickly discovered that Crunch was a natural at playing Ant Smasher on his phone. Whenever ants scurried across the screen, Crunch’s tongue would dart out, hit them, and remove them from the display. Her tongue was so quick and accurate (though she occasionally struck a bee) that Gith was inspired to capture her impressive skills in a short video, which soon went viral across the Internet.
Peter Harlow, the reptile manager at Australia's Taronga Zoo, believes that bearded dragons excel at the video game Ant Smasher and respond to visuals on screens due to their exceptional eyesight, which they rely on to hunt tiny insects. However, Harlow cautions that these lizards probably won’t keep playing Ant Smasher forever, as it’s clearly not a viable food source for them.
Harlow speculated that while no other species of lizard would likely excel at Ant Smasher, other bearded dragons, beyond just Crunch, would likely enjoy the game. As expected, more videos of bearded dragons enjoying Ant Smasher have surfaced online.
4. Crocodiles Ride The Eternal Wave
Saltwater crocodiles, or ‘salties,’ are creatures straight out of a nightmare. As the largest living reptiles on Earth, they can stretch beyond 7 meters (23 ft) in length and weigh over 900 kilograms (2,000 lb). Their jaws can exert an enormous 900 kilograms (2,000 lb) of pressure, making them deadly hunters both on land and in water. These crocs are fearless enough to challenge sharks and even boats made of aluminum—filled with humans—and come out on top. When picturing a surfer chilling on the waves, these monstrous reptiles are far from the first thing that springs to mind.
But, in February 2014, Cable Beach in Western Australia was shut down after a cheerful 4-meter (13 ft) crocodile was spotted. Rather than targeting beachgoers, this croc was riding the waves. The reptile at Cable Beach was simply doing what came naturally. Researchers soon found out that although these massive reptiles are not the best swimmers, they are incredible surfers.
Scientists began tracking crocodile movements using sonar and satellite technology to understand how these crocs—who can’t swim over long distances—have spread across such a vast area, from eastern India and Southeast Asia to northern Australia. It turns out that these crocs can travel hundreds of miles by surfing river and ocean currents, much like surfers riding an endless wave.
These crocs have mastered long-distance travel by perfectly timing tide shifts and tidal currents. Yet, the mysteries of these scaly surfers still elude us. For example, what’s the purpose of their travels? One theory is that they use the currents to catch up with large schools of fish during their annual migrations—and feast on them. It appears that these fearsome creatures know how to enjoy life, combining their love for surfing with some great dining along the way.
3. Golden Orb Spiders Can Put Rumpelstiltskin To Shame
One of the most impressive feats of nature, this story demonstrates the power of combining animal and human ingenuity. The island of Madagascar is home to millions of golden orb weaver spiders, renowned for their magnificent webs. These webs can span up to 1.8 meters (6 ft) and can endure for years, thanks to the incredibly strong silk these spiders produce. The golden orb spiders secrete a liquid protein from their abdomen and spinnerets, which they then manipulate at a molecular level to transform it into silk.
For years, scientists have attempted to replicate this remarkable silk in laboratories. Its unmatched strength and flexibility could be used for a variety of applications, from bulletproof vests to artificial tendons in medical treatments. While the strength of spider silk is a scientific marvel, its breathtaking beauty has also captivated artists and craftsmen alike.
Two textile experts, eager to showcase the beauty of the silk produced by golden orb spiders, embarked on a daring mission. They reinvented an ancient technique to extract silk from the spiders without causing them harm—a method that dates back over 200 years. Their work involved milking over one million 5-centimeter (2 in) golden orb spiders to gather the silk required to create a cape.
In 2012, a stunning cape entirely crafted from golden orb spider silk was displayed at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, renowned for showcasing significant textile exhibitions. This masterpiece of haute couture is not just beautiful—it's incredibly light. Despite the fine, delicate threads of spider silk, visitors couldn’t feel any weight when they held the cape’s tassels in their hands, making it a truly enchanting piece.
What sets the cape apart is its brilliant, golden hue—the natural color of the silk produced by golden orb spiders for their webs.
2. Killer Whales Can Speak The Foreign Language Of Bottlenose
How proficient are you at picking up new languages? Even if you're a linguist, have you ever mastered the art of communicating in the language of a completely different species? It would be remarkable to have that skill, just like a killer whale.
Killer whales are actually the largest members of the dolphin family, distinct from bottlenose dolphins. Despite this, orcas have the ability to listen to bottlenose dolphins and mimic their “speech.” It's possible that killer whales use this newfound dolphin communication to socialize across species. Scientists refer to this ability as cross-species vocal learning in orcas.
Killer whales primarily communicate with a range of clicks, whistles, and pulsed calls, with pulsed calls being most common. In contrast, bottlenose dolphins use a much higher frequency of whistles and clicks. At Sea World, where killer whales and dolphins were kept together for years, researchers noticed a shift in their speech patterns. The orcas began using more whistles and clicks, resembling the communication style of their dolphin companions with whom they now socialized.
Orcas are not just capable of learning new communication methods, but they can also pick up entirely new sounds. Some dolphins, trained by a human to “speak” through chirps, were imitated by the killer whales who learned the chirps without any training. Additionally, a killer whale has been observed mimicking the calls of seals—an impressive feat since seals are often prey for these large dolphins.
Scientists suggest that the ability of orcas to adapt to other species' languages highlights their social learning abilities. It also points to their exceptional neural plasticity, meaning their brains are capable of forming new neural connections as they acquire new behaviors. The intelligence and learning capacity of orcas provide further justification for the need to protect this species and cease keeping them in captivity in entertainment parks like Sea World, where their lifespans are reportedly greatly shortened.
1. Shrews Walk On Water
For humans, walking on water is often considered a miraculous feat. However, there is one small creature that has figured out how to do it. Water shrews, no bigger than a mouse and typically measuring 12-15 centimeters (5-6 inches), are found near rivers, streams, ponds, or boggy areas, as they spend a significant portion of their time in water.
Water shrews are most well-known for their insatiable hunger. They can consume their own body weight in food each day and possess such a fast metabolism that missing a single meal can result in death. But what is less recognized about these creatures is their remarkable ability to run across the surface of water on their hind feet for up to 1.5 meters (5 feet)—an impressive feat akin to the biblical miracle of Jesus walking on water.
The key to the water shrew’s ability to dash over streams without sinking lies in the special hair surrounding their hind feet and back toes. These stiff hairs trap air bubbles, and these tiny air pockets act as miniature rafts, keeping the shrew buoyant and allowing it to run on water instead of paddling through it.
Humans have capitalized on the water shrew’s ability to stay afloat by designing hydrofoils. These motorboats skim over a layer of air bubbles, increasing their speed by reducing water drag. If only we could apply this bubble-based concept to our shoes.
