Capuchin vs Chimp Intelligence

[Proteus]

Some capuchins go through great lengths to obtain the kernel from certain nuts, first peeling, the drying, and finally cracking them open with a rock and anvil (BBC Life: Life's Challenges), I was therefore wondering if chimps are really the most intelligent primates, or if we're just biassed because they're our closest genetic relatives.

[Externet]

Have not seen a demonstration of more what we call intelligence than that of the capuchins.

Spiders 'intelligence' impress me a lot anyway, with their ultratiny brain.

[Mr Skeptic]

Some capuchins go through great lengths to obtain the kernel from certain nuts, first peeling, the drying, and finally cracking them open with a rock and anvil (BBC Life: Life's Challenges),

 

Interesting. I would not have thought animals would have the patience/attention span to do this.

 

I was therefore wondering if chimps are really the most intelligent primates, or if we're just biassed because they're our closest genetic relatives.

 

I think depending on how you measure intelligence, humans might not be the most intelligent. Really what makes us special is not just our intelligence, but other attributes: society, communication, abstract thought, ability to create/use technology.

[Sisyphus]

I was therefore wondering if chimps are really the most intelligent primates.

 

I know that I'm biased, but I still think that humans are the most intelligent primates, insofar as comparing species' intelligence is meaningful.

[Proteus]

I thought humans belonged to a separate order. Apparently simians is the correct term for apes and monkeys collectively.

[Sisyphus]

I thought humans belonged to a separate order. Apparently simians is the correct term for apes and monkeys collectively.

 

Humans are apes. We're in the same family as chimps, gorillas, and orangutans.

 

human classification:

 

Order: primates

suborder: Haplorhinni

infraorder: Simiiformes (the "simians")

parvorder: Catarrhini

superfamily: Hominoidea (the "apes")

family: Hominidae (the "great apes")

subfamily: Homininae (humans, gorillas, and chimps)

tribe: Hominini (humans and chimps)

genus: homo (humans, and some extinct relatives)

species: sapiens (just us!)

Edited April 19, 2010 by Sisyphus