Top ten smartest species of 2009 revealed
A report from BBC's Earth News has outlined ten of the smartest species revealed in 2009.
At number one is the albatross, which is smart enough to associate with killer whales in collecting food for its chicks, a strategy that the bird may adopt for efficiency.
Thanks to tiny cameras fitted on the seabirds' backs, scientists came to know that the albatross follows hunting killer whales, and tuck into the scraps left behind by the giant animals.
At number two is the chimpanzee, whose spatial memory is so precise that it can find a single tree among thousands in a forest.
The chimps also recall how productive each tree is, and can decide to travel farther to eat from those they know will yield the most fruit.
At number three is the octopus, which can scoop up halved coconut shells before scampering away with them so they can later use them as shelters.
Researchers said that it is the first example of tool use in octopuses.
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