* Intelligence is complex: There's no single definition of intelligence. Animals exhibit intelligence in different ways, with skills in areas like problem-solving, communication, social interaction, and memory.
* Different species, different strengths: Some animals excel in certain cognitive areas, while others are better in different domains. For example, a dolphin might be incredibly intelligent in terms of communication and social skills, while a squirrel might be brilliant at navigating complex environments and remembering food caches.
* We don't fully understand animal minds: We are still discovering the cognitive abilities of various species. What we consider "unintelligent" today might be simply a lack of understanding on our part.
Instead of ranking animals by intelligence, it's more productive to appreciate the diverse cognitive abilities of different species.
It's important to avoid making judgments about animals based on perceived intelligence levels. All living creatures have their own unique adaptations and skills that contribute to their survival and success within their environments.