Yes Scientists, Animals can think for themselves

While everyone is oohing and aahing over the cute octopus using coconut shells for shelter and as a safe place, it brought to mind my junior year in high school and my anatomy and physiology instructor. I don't even remember his name, but I will always remember this statement, " Animals cannot think for themselves, they only know what you teach them." I remember thinking back then what a crock and I still think he's an idiot. Anyone who lives with animals knows better.

So then why for all of us who know better and learn from our pets, are we all surprised that animals can think for themselves? Or that they problem solve? There are stories all the time of our closest relatives, the primates, using tools for many different tasks, like sticks to check water depth, or stones to open food or process food differently. Sea Otters who have long used stones to open  shellfish (clams, oysters, etc) to enjoy the good stuff within. Racoons that wash or moisten their food to eat and can open any garbage can we care to invent to keep them out of it, and they manage to get it open within minutes.

Or as the video shows below a compiliation of animals using simple things and solving problems to get to their goal.

[kml_flashembed movie="http://www.youtube.com/v/2En6zyJPs3I" width="425" height="350" wmode="transparent" /]

So, again I ask, why are we surprised or amused by this? Sometimes we need to look to the animals to learn to think outside the "box" to solve problems. They are the original creative thinkers, perhaps we need to think more simply, more creatively and not over think things. Because when you over think things they never really work as well as you perhaps envisioned in the first place.

I know my bunch are very creative thinkers, and they are great observers of human failings and inattentions. Take for instance, Yummy my big cat, he can figure out who is the most likely to not be as attentive at the doors when going in and out or letting the dogs out so he can escape. Lil'Shit was a very creative thinker in his younger days, and he still is I guess. He figured out like the dog in the video how to use the desk chair (which rolls), to get onto the desk by the kitchen counter and onto said counter to eat the left over burrito my husband kindly left for him. He also learned how to get onto windowsills and if there were blinds in the way, get through them (by chewing through them) to enable him to sit and watch for me to come home. Lately though, he doesn't get around too well in his age and sometimes seems very senile, but he's still smart, the little bugger. He now has a game that changes daily to work to avoid going back outside after feeding. I watch the intelligence that is very visible in my brother's collie's eyes. And I for one am a believer that talking to them through the expressions in your eyes and verbally enhances the intelligence and betters your communication with them.

I am sure that at least 50% of the scientists who study animal behavior are pet owners, and if they are, why aren't they learning what their pets teach them at home? I'm sure they'd say to them and us, "Think outside the box, use your creativity,  live simply, and use only what you need to to survive. And be happy with each day."