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Post by thunderhawk on May 14, 2012 14:23:56 GMT -5
I'm not sure about the stats for brain mass to body mass ratio in ants and termites, but that is usally an indicator if intelligence. Ants and termites though certainly appear to be very intelligent, possibly on a human level. They have complex societies with language, caste systems, agriculture, and they conduct strategic warfare. No other animals except humans are capable of these feats which leads me to think that ants and termites might be the other sapient animals on our planet. What do you think?
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Post by Anomonyous on May 14, 2012 16:21:51 GMT -5
Well, I certainly don't think ants and termites are individually very intelligent. When separated, some will keep circling around and around. Not saying humans won't, but this behavior can be easily replicated in those certain ants.
Caste systems are more or less just what the ants evolved to be, and bees also use language.
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Post by thunderhawk on May 14, 2012 16:56:29 GMT -5
I didn't necessarily mean individually but I do see your point. I also didn't mean to leave out bees who are very capable creatures too. Communal insects in general and in groups may have what could be described as culture is basically what I'm saying.
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Post by Anomonyous on May 14, 2012 19:27:25 GMT -5
Culture? Perhaps...
Scientists refer to the intellect possessed by nests of insects as "group intelligence" or something. As individuals, they seem no more intelligent than any other insect, but together they form a single body that cooperates and communicates.
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