How intelligent are dolphins?

Dolphins have a large brain. Large brain animals like humans, chimpanzees, and dolphins have a number of things in common. They generally live long lives. They form stable communities. They demonstrate complex emotions such as happiness, sadness and grief. They can assess situations and problem solve. And their offspring are totally dependent on their parents during childhood.

Dolphins brains are large and complex. They are fast learners, have advanced communication systems and develop complex social networks. They make plans together and cooperate with one another to hunt, protect themselves and bring up their young. Dolphins have senses of empathy, altruism and attachment. They are creative and playful creatures, and seem to enjoy playing and seek the companionship of others. They will work together to take care of injured or sick pod mates.

Dolphins are one of only a few species that pass the ‘mirror test’. They recognise their own reflection in a mirror; they inspect themselves and look at parts of their bodies in the mirror that they can’t usually see, they also make movements and examine themselves for this movement. These behaviours indicate self-awareness of a highly intelligent species.