Thoughtful Baboon

The possibility that baboons really are as thoughtful as they look has been confirmed by studies conducted at the Center for Research in Cognitive Neuroscience in Marseille and University of Iowa. In 2001 the researchers found that baboons demonstrated visual discriminating behavior, a trait which is associated with thinking in abstract terms.

It did take a bit of time, though, for the baboons to be able to pick out the right images. But Dr. Robert Sapolsky of Stanford, who has practically lived with baboons as part of his research, pointed out that the tests involved recognizing patters of images that were familiar to humans. The baboons would have done better if the objects were part of the baboons daily lives. After much abstract discussion among themselves, baboons have agreed this assessment is correct.