What's the smartest animal in the bush?

January 16, 2024 7:00 PM

What's the smartest animal in the bush? Bettongs, chuditch, quendas and antechinus as well as possums, skinks, kangaroos and echidnas were put through their paces to see which Australian native animals could complete puzzles left in bushland.
posted by chariot pulled by cassowaries (7 comments total)

I wonder if they put out enough puzzles to identify that possums generally are better at solving them versus, say, one or two specific possums who are puzzle nerds.

Also:

The wisest animal in the world is the aye-aye, it's actually too wise.
posted by Pickman's Next Top Model at 7:15 PM on January 16 [12 favorites]

"bettongs, chuditch, quendas and antechinus"

Reminder: Never to play Scrabble against an Australian.
posted by ITravelMontana at 7:43 PM on January 16 [8 favorites]

Oh, the marsupialanity!
posted by y2karl at 8:09 PM on January 16 [1 favorite]

I am not surprised that brushtail possums are smart puzzle solvers. Little bastards are too clever, whenever I see one I feel the urge to pat myself to make sure my wallet and keys and phone are still there.
posted by Fiasco da Gama at 8:56 PM on January 16 [6 favorites]

It isn't koalas.
posted by flabdablet at 10:46 PM on January 16 [1 favorite]

whenever I see one I feel the urge to pat myself to make sure my wallet and keys and phone are still there

What you don't see is the other one up the tree behind you, taking careful note of which pockets you're patting.
posted by flabdablet at 11:22 PM on January 16 [11 favorites]

bettongs, chuditch, quendas and antechinus

"What's on the secret menu at a Klingon deli?"
posted by Halloween Jack at 11:53 AM on January 17 [1 favorite]