I have always read about the amazing intelligence of pigs. But what do they do that amazes people? Because they roll in mud? Why is that special? I love animals and believe in their intelligence. But what makes pigs special?
In: Biology
Eli5 answer is in experiments they show mental abilities on par with a human 4 to 6 year old. They plan, they consider, they organize, they change ideas, they have a vision in their heads of what’s going on in a ‘meta’ sense (like having a mental image of a maze as you go through it).
The usual tests are around memory and problem solving and using tools. They also display social and emotional intelligence to similar degrees.
Eli5 is that they’re basically a 4-6 year old human inside a pig body. Some things they can think and feel more deeply. Others a little worse. But in terms of how they’re experiencing the world and how they think and feel, it’s the best equivalent for us to understand.
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