Are Chimps Smarter than Humans? (3 videos)

Chimps and humans are nearly 99 percent alike in their genetic makeup. Scientists and researchers have conducted myriad studies of their intelligence. These 3 fascinating videos show some of the results. It turns out that they are smarter than us in a number of ways.

The first two videos pit chimpanzees against humans, with surprising results. The third one, on page 3, shows how clever a chimp can be when left to his own devices.

This first video from ABC News shows how much better a chimpanzee’s short term memory is than a human’s when his reward is a tasty peanut treat, and the goodies keep coming. Peanuts are so yummy.

The video on page 2 pits a chimpanzee against a human child, with similar results, and a peanut reward at the end. And in the video on page 3 getting the peanut is the ultimate challenge and reward.

Maybe the answer is that chimps love peanuts more than we do!

Watch and see what you think.

Photo credit: TheBusyBrain

1 of 3

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Arthur K.

8:40PM PST on Dec 25, 2010

Hey everyone, you can help the Jane Goodall Institute (they work for conservation of chimpanzees and their habitat) win $10,000!

send a green star

Emma F.

4:22PM PDT on Sep 6, 2010

Hey everyone, you can help the Jane Goodall Institute (they work for conservation of chimpanzees and their habitat) win $10,000! Go to www.takepart.com/membersproject/vote and vote for the JGI! You can vote once a week so please help out! It's free, easy and a great way to make a difference

Charmaine C.

1:08PM PDT on Aug 18, 2010

Thanks for the article Cris. I love how animals keep surprising us with abilities we never thought they had.

What's your point susan? Are you saying that they are lesser beings than we are? How does being able to memorise 10 versus from the bible make us smart, when after our recital, we go out and further destroy our world, kill, lie and cheat each other. How smart is that?

Elizabeth C.

9:30PM PDT on Aug 15, 2010

Sure, humans may be the most intelligent species on Earth but they sure do some stupid things. And some horrible things in history have happened because people were simply following orders. Don't be afraid to break the rules - that's what leads to heroism and creativity.

Janice P.

7:34AM PDT on Aug 9, 2010

Lynn C. is right. Plus, the chimps did not mind breaking the rules. The kids followed the instructions. Maybe this should be used as a lesson in socialization, rather than learning and memory.

Teresa W.

9:34AM PDT on Jul 31, 2010

Interesting!

Susan L.

1:41AM PDT on Jul 31, 2010

Yes, but can they memorize 10 Scriptures from the Bible and then say each Scripture aloud for anyone who wants to hear it?
I think not

Beng Kiat L.

1:35AM PDT on Jul 30, 2010

thanks

NO EMAILS P.

12:40AM PDT on Jul 28, 2010

Noted thanks