[paul.fr]

just how smart are Beavers, and other animals? If a new born Beaver was removed from the mother, would it know how to build a dam if it was reintroduced in an area where there were no Beavers?

[Seany]

Lets ask DoctorBeaver? []

[JimBob]

Due to the esteem with which I hold (?) Our Good Doctor Beaver, I will make no remarks about "just another stinking rodent." Please Dr., elucidate.

[logicat5]

surely it would be instinctual? the building of dams I mean.

[JimBob]

That does not explain ALL of the logical moves needed to build, and especially repair, a dam. I am of the opinion that the level of reasoning ability in the "lower' animals is greater than humans give them credit for. This arises, in just my opinion, from the Western idea that humans are the superior beings. Many non-western traditions have humans on a level, while not equal with, at least not more superior than animals. It is brother moose and sister snake.

[another_someone]

That does not explain ALL of the logical moves needed to build, and especially repair, a dam. I am of the opinion that the level of reasoning ability in the "lower' animals is greater than humans give them credit for. This arises, in just my opinion, from the Western idea that humans are the superior beings. Many non-western traditions have humans on a level, while not equal with, at least not more superior than animals. It is brother moose and sister snake.

I tend to agree with you, if not necessarily with your notion of brother moose or sister snake (particularly, snakes are generally, as far as I am aware, one of the dumber of vertebrates).

We know that rats are good at learning and navigating mazes - this is not a dumb animal.  I cannot see reason why beavers should be any dumber than a rat.

[paul.fr]

I tend to agree with you, if not necessarily with your notion of brother moose or sister snake (particularly, snakes are generally, as far as I am aware, one of the dumber of vertebrates).

We know that rats are good at learning and navigating mazes - this is not a dumb animal.  I cannot see reason why beavers should be any dumber than a rat.

my point was animals with abilities to do certain tasks, not neceserally limited to beavers. Please excuse th spelling...time of day and stuff!

[DoctorBeaver]

Of course beavers are smart. Just look at what we've invented as a result of our dam-building activities:-

Reinforced concrete
Hydro-power
JCB
Rubbish skip
Gelignite
Flouride toothpaste
Elastoplast & elastic bandages (well, accidents will happen)

[neilep]

Of course beavers are smart. Just look at what we've invented as a result of our dam-building activities:-

Reinforced concrete
Hydro-power
JCB
Rubbish skip
Gelignite
Flouride toothpaste
Elastoplast & elastic bandages (well, accidents will happen)

Let us not forget the quintessential achievement by beavers the world over ..

The Merkin  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Merkin


how could ewe forget...shame on ewe !!  [] [] []

[jolly]

I dont know that it would be instintual. mamals- apes for example, when removed from the mother at an earily age, have to be taught, how to live in the wild! Spiders have an intuitive ability to to build webs.
but I dont think a beaver for one builds the dam alone it works with its mate. A lone beaver never having an education from its parents I dont feel could or would build a dam.
In the same way a chimp seperated from it's parents would'nt use a stick to collect ants, they need to be taught. Which is probably why most mamals seperated young- do not survive in the wild! most mamals have a childhood in which they learn from there parents how to live!
Especially social animals.
But how does that relate to inteligence? I'm not sure your looking at this correctly.. To acess an animals inteligence is really down to how well it can learn.. So a beaver without an education should'nt just start dam building- as with humans, a child that grew up alone probably would'nt have any language as it would'nt need to communicate- but it could learn to talk if introduced to other people- so inteligence is really an acessment of an animals ability to learn or adapt and the speed at which it does it!

[Karen W.]

I agree with a lot of your points a about things not being instinctive..and more learned . You make some nice points. Nice post!

[DoctorBeaver]

Of course beavers are smart. Just look at what we've invented as a result of our dam-building activities:-

Reinforced concrete
Hydro-power
JCB
Rubbish skip
Gelignite
Flouride toothpaste
Elastoplast & elastic bandages (well, accidents will happen)

Let us not forget the quintessential achievement by beavers the world over ..

The Merkin  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Merkin


how could ewe forget...shame on ewe !!  [] [] []

 []