Are Gorillas Smarter Than Chimpanzees?

Are Gorillas Smarter Than Chimpanzees? Intelligence Comparison

Are Gorillas Smarter Than Chimpanzees? When travellers embark on gorilla trekking adventures in the misty rainforests of Uganda, Rwanda, or the Democratic Republic of Congo, they often return home with one burning question: just how intelligent are these magnificent creatures? And how do they compare to chimpanzees, arguably the most studied of all primates?

The comparison between gorillas and chimps in terms of intellect is arguably the most intriguing conversation among primatologists and wildlife experts. Even though both species are 98% similar in genetics to us human beings, they display very dissimilar mental capabilities, social behaviours, and techniques of dealing with obstacles. Whose intellect is greater will always remain a mystery until the definition of intelligence is defined.

What Does “Smart” Really Mean?

Before embarking on our comparison of the two species, it is important to note that the nature of animal intelligence is multifaceted. Intelligence is assessed on several criteria, including tool-making skills, social learning, communication skills, memory, emotional intelligence, and problem-solving skills.

Chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) have long been the gold standard of non-human intelligence. Gorillas (Gorilla gorilla and Gorilla beringei). Gorilla trekking is the main highlight of any safari adventure in Africa. However, recent research is challenging this long-held assumption in exciting ways.

Chimpanzees

The chimpanzees are acknowledged to be the most intelligent nonhuman primates when it comes to handling tools. The chimpanzees, in their natural environment, create and use many tools, including the ability to make use of sticks to fish for termites in their nests and the use of stones as a means to break open the shells of hard nuts. This is a learned trait, transmitted culturally among various chimpanzee societies.

The chimpanzee possesses a very advanced “theory of mind“, which allows them to know what the other individual is thinking, believing, or planning. This ability allows the chimpanzee to develop very strategic behaviour in social interactions involving creating alliances, deceit, and organised hunting of other primates.

Gorillas

For decades, gorillas were considered the intellectually inferior cousins of chimpanzees. This perception is now being steadily overturned, particularly as more wildlife researchers and gorilla trekking guides in places like Bwindi Impenetrable National Park observe gorilla behaviour in its natural habitat.

One of the strongest proofs of gorillas’ high level of intelligence is the story of Koko, who is the name of a female western lowland gorilla who was taught how to use an altered version of American Sign Language. Koko had been known to have more than 1,000 signs in her vocabulary while understanding around 2,000 English words. Not only did she manage to express herself about her feelings, but she also talked about past experiences, including the passing away of her kitten.

Besides language, gorillas exhibit remarkable social intelligence. Silverbacks in the wild are known to lead large families, making key decisions on where the family will move, how conflicts will be resolved, and how resources will be shared. The need for such skills clearly indicates advanced thinking abilities.

Key Cognitive Comparisons: Gorilla vs Chimpanzee

In terms of cognitive abilities that both species have, the following are some areas where they differ:

Memory and Cognitive Flexibility

The aspect of memory is one of the components of primates’ intelligence. It is widely known that chimpanzees possess excellent short-term memory and are better learners compared to gorillas when placed in artificial situations. The memorising capacity of the chimpanzee is remarkable, and it can memorise the location where it stores its food for a long duration of time.

In addition, gorillas display great memory skills. This is evident in their understanding of the social structure as well as the origin of their meals. The ability to recall particular spots in their environment or to recognise people from their social group is indicative of excellent cognitive map formation.

An adaptation in behaviour due to changes in the environment is termed ‘cognitive flexibility’. Both chimpanzees and gorillas exhibit this ability. The latter species are exceptionally intelligent at problem-solving and foraging.

Language and Communication:

Gorillas have a great ability for symbolic communication, as has been demonstrated by Koko and other gorillas who have been taught a language. Chimpanzees have also been taught sign language and demonstrated similar capabilities, although gorillas seem to have a more extensive emotional vocabulary.

Cultural Behaviour and Learning

The concept of culture is a fascinating attribute of primate intelligence, where behaviours are learned and transmitted between generations. Chimps are among the species of animals with the most advanced cultures, in which members of each group have distinctive ways of using tools, grooming behaviour, and food acquisition skills.

Some examples of gorilla culture include specialised feeding behaviours and social behaviours; however, the range of gorilla cultures is less diverse compared to that of chimps.

Brain Size vs Brain Structure

Brain size is not the only factor determining the level of intelligence; however, it helps us get an idea about the intelligence level. Absolute brain sizes show that gorillas’ brains are bigger compared to chimpanzees’, but in comparison to body size, chimpanzees display a higher ratio of brain size to body size, which means greater intelligence.

Both gorillas and chimpanzees have a well-developed prefrontal cortex.

Tool Use:

Chimpanzees are undisputedly more prolific tool users in the wild. Gorillas, although able to use tools, use them much less due to the fact that their strength and herbivore nature mean that they do not need tools to find food.

Emotional Intelligence:

This is where gorillas excel the most. The social structure of the gorillas is based on emotions, empathy, and social intelligence. People who have been on gorilla trekking safaris in places like Uganda and Rwanda often report that the moment when one locks eyes with a mountain gorilla is unforgettable.

Problem-Solving:

Both primates are intelligent creatures; however, chimpanzees are more aggressive and experimental while trying to solve problems, and gorillas are cautious and contemplative. When considering the aspect of navigation and exploration of the environment, both gorillas and chimpanzees demonstrate impressive levels of spatial sense. Chimpanzees are explorers of new areas, and their technique varies according to situations; meanwhile, gorillas stay mostly in the same territory but can travel through tough terrains. Their ability to adjust their technique to different situations shows that they possess advanced cognitive skills.

What Gorilla Trekking Reveals About Gorilla Intelligence

To those wildlife tourists who are looking forward to going on a gorilla trekking adventure in places such as Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Uganda, or Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda, the intelligence of gorillas is not a matter of scientific knowledge alone but something that has been experienced. It is through watching the family of gorillas interact with each other that one learns how intelligent they really are.

Gorilla tracking adventures have also made important contributions to the field of primatology in terms of providing useful information through observations. In habituation exercises, where the gorillas are made familiar with the presence of human beings, observations of their cognitive skills, such as self-medication and conflict resolution, have been made possible.

The emotional response to these interactions brings home a truth that science has yet to measure: Gorillas’ cognition is relational, situational, and profound in a way that standard intelligence tests cannot reveal.

Which One Is Smarter?

The true scientific answer to the question would be that both chimps and gorillas cannot be considered intrinsically smarter because they have evolved uniquely and been subjected to different pressures for millions of years.

It can be said that chimps are faster, more adept at making tools and using them, and better socially strategised than gorillas. On the contrary, gorillas are known to be emotionally deep and conflict-solving and have better powers of contemplation. It might seem like chimps have higher IQ scores compared to gorillas in laboratories. However, if the definition of intelligence were to include things such as empathy, wisdom, and social unity, gorillas are equally smart.

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