Science·Animals of the World·conceptual
Animal Intelligence
Explore animal intelligence and complex behaviour — chimpanzees and crows use tools, dolphins recognise themselves in mirrors, octopuses solve puzzles and escape enclosures, elephants mourn their dead, meerkats teach their young to handle scorpions — understanding that many animals think, learn, and have social lives more complex than once believed
Suggested ages 9–11
Learning journey
Your child is discovering how animals have evolved amazing adaptations to survive in their environments, exploring complex animal behaviors and intelligence, and learning about conservation efforts to protect endangered species and biodiversity.
Evidence of understanding
- Gives at least 4 examples of animal intelligence or complex behaviour
- Explains what 'tool use' means and names at least 2 tool-using animals
- Discusses how scientists test animal intelligence (mirror test, puzzle boxes, observation)
- Shows understanding that intelligence takes different forms in different species
Assessment prompt
If Animal Intelligence watches a video of a crow using a stick to get food from a tube, can they explain that this shows animal intelligence and give other examples of animals that use tools, solve problems, or show complex behaviour?
Standards alignment
No external standards are linked to this topic.