What is the dumbest animal? 20 least intelligent animals in the world

What is the dumbest animal? 20 least intelligent animals in the world

Distinct animals have brains that are specialised for different purposes, which are influenced by more than just the amount of neurons. It has been discovered that animals with fewer nerve cells in the cortex of their brains might exhibit less sophisticated behaviours and cognitive capacities than those with more neurons. As a result, there are intelligent and dumb animals. What is the dumbest animal in the world?

Lilac-breasted rollers, koalas, and flamingos rank among the least intelligent animals in the world
The least intelligent animals exhibit perplexing levels of idiocy. Photo: Antony Trivet, Darrell Gulin, Igor Rybaltchenko (modified by author)
Source: Getty Images

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To compile a list of the dumbest animals in the world, we considered factors such as the animal's reaction to its predators, feeding habits, and actions when in danger. We based our findings on data from various animal review websites such as Animal Spot, Animals Around the Globe, and A–Z Animals. However, this list is inconclusive because it may not include all the numbers considered dumb.

Dumbest animals in the world

Though the least intelligent creatures exhibit perplexing levels of idiocy, they also show a wide range of sophisticated behaviours that astound humans. So, what is the least intelligent animal on earth? Here is a list of the dumbest animals in the world.

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AnimalClassification
SlothMammalia
Giant PandaMammalia
FlamingoAves
OstrichAves
TurkeyAves
KoalaMammalia
Slow LorisMammalia
KakapoAves
GiraffeMammalia
Cane ToadAmphibia
JerboaMammalia
Goblin SharkChondrichthyes
Horned LizardReptilia
Lilac-breasted rollerAves
Japanese land snailGastropoda
KilldeerAves
Secretary birdAves
Norwegian lemmingMammalia
Komodo DragonReptilia
Northern fulmar chickAves

Sloth

A two-toed sloth, perched high atop a rainforest tree.
Sloths move incredibly slowly, even when threatened by predators. Photo: Kryssia Campos
Source: Getty Images
  • Mass: 3.6–7.7 kilograms (7.9–17 pounds)
  • Trophic level: Herbivorous
  • Life span: Over 20 years
  • Class: Mammalia

What is the #1 dumbest animal? Sloths move incredibly slowly, even when threatened by predators. They devote most of their time to napping in neighbouring trees, yet rarely excrete there. They drop to the ground weekly to excrete, then climb back up. They frequently die as a result of confusing their limbs for tree branches.

Giant Panda

Front view of an adult panda walking on the ground
Giant pandas prefer to consume plants rather than animals. Photo: Jingying Zhao
Source: Getty Images
  • Mass: Female, adult 70–120 kilograms (154–264 pounds)
  • Trophic level: Herbivorous
  • Lifespan: 20 years (in the wild)
  • Class: Mammalia

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Are pandas dumb? They rank among the dumbest animals in the world. Although carnivorous, giant pandas prefer to consume plants rather than animals. They are also among the least romantic species on the planet.

They have a terrible record of rearing and nurturing their young ones, which could lead to their extinction. When females become dissatisfied with their offspring, they kill them!

Flamingo

Flamingo wading in water in Cozumel, Mexico
They have two legs but usually stand and rest on one. Photo: Stephen Frink
Source: Getty Images
  • Mass: 1.8–3.6 kilograms (3.9–7.9 pounds)
  • Trophic level: Carnivorous
  • Life span: Over 60 years (in captivity) and 30–40 years (in the wild)
  • Class: Aves

Are flamingos smart? Flamingos are not regarded as highly clever animals. They have two legs. However, they usually stand and rest on one. Flamingos also attempt to grab fish using their bills turned upside down in the water, making the job difficult.

Ostrich

Male Ostrich in Serengeti National Park,Tanzania
Ostriches cannot fly and must run at high speeds to evade predators. Photo: Hal Beral
Source: Getty Images
  • Mass: 100–130 kilograms (220–290 pounds)
  • Trophic level: Omnivorous
  • Life Span: 30–40 years (in the world), up to 70 years (in captivity)
  • Class: Aves

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Ostriches are one of the stupidest animals in the world. They cannot fly and must run at high speeds to evade predators. If they cannot flee their opponent, they use their powerful legs to kick them.

If all else fails, they drop to the ground, neck and head extended ahead of them. The head and kneck colours fade into the earth, giving the impression that they are trapped. This makes the bird believe that it is undetectable to its predator.

Turkey

Wild turkey in courtship display
Turkeys constantly stare at the sky, even while it's raining, which can lead to their death. Photo: Joe McDonald
Source: Getty Images
  • Mass: 13.5–39 kilograms (29–85 pounds)
  • Trophic level: Carnivorous
  • Life span: 3–5 years (in the world) 10 years (in captivity)
  • Class: Aves

Turkeys rank among the least intelligent animals in the world. They constantly stare at the sky, even while it's raining, which can lead to their death. This behaviour can be ascribed to their fondness for drinking rainwater and the fact that some have a hereditary condition called tetanic torticollar spasms.

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Koala

Close-up of a young koala bear on a tree eating eucalypt leaves
The koala eats mostly on low-nutrient eucalyptus leaves, which are tough to break down. Photo: Freder
Source: Getty Images
  • Mass: 4–15 kilograms (9–33 pounds)
  • Trophic level: Herbivorous
  • Lifespan: 13–18 years (in the wild)
  • Class: Mammalia

The koala eats mostly on low-nutrient eucalyptus leaves, which are tough to break down even with four stomachs! Its lack of sanitation makes it a vector of infections, particularly Chlamydia. If they cannot find their favoured food, they may die of starvation.

Slow Loris

Close-up of a bengal slow loris sitting on a branch at night
The slow loris moves at an extremely sluggish pace. Photo: Freder
Source: Getty Images
  • Mass: Male 68 grams (0.15 pounds)
  • Trophic level: Omnivorous
  • Lifespan: 20 years
  • Class: Mammalia

The slow loris moves at an extremely sluggish pace. When it attempts to protect or hide from predators, its pace seldom disrupts the vegetation and ceases to move within seconds. Following that, the body remains entirely still.

When contacted, it freezes and conceals its face. It is dumb to approach a human without contemplating the risks. The slow loris seems unconcerned about adopting safety precautions because it has a deadly bite that could kill an individual without immediate intervention.

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Kakapo

Close-up of New Zealand kakapo parrot
The kakapo pauses in terror when it sees its predator. Photo: Imogen Warren
Source: Getty Images
  • Mass: 2–4 kilograms (male, adult)
  • Trophic level: Herbivorous
  • Lifespan: 60 years
  • Class: Aves

The kakapo pauses in terror when it sees its predator. It does not attempt to flee while waiting to be eaten. Furthermore, it could be a more efficient breeder. The male produces a strange mating call, leaving the female puzzled and stunned.

Giraffe

Giraffe in the middle of the road in Kruger National Park, South Africa
Giraffes have long necks that allow them to consume the leaves of lofty trees. Photo: Thomas Halle
Source: Getty Images
  • Mass: Male 1,200 kilograms (2645 pounds) Female 830 kilograms (1829 pounds)
  • Trophic level: Herbivorous
  • Lifespan: 25 years (in the wild)
  • Class: Mammalia

Giraffes have long necks that allow them to consume the leaves of lofty trees. However, its original environment, East Africa, contains a restricted number of trees. It is very awkward that they consume little plants and grass with these long necks!

Cane Toad

A cane toad warms up in the sun at Ellenbrae station on the Gibb River Road
Cane toad consumes both dead and living things. Photo: Jason Jones Travel Photography
Source: Getty Images
  • Mass: Up to 1.5 kilograms (3.3 pounds)
  • Trophic level: Carnivorous
  • Lifespan: 10–15 years (in the wild)
  • Class: Amphibia

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This toad consumes both dead and living things. And its personality extends beyond its meals. The Cane toads can be seen freely engaged in physical affairs with nearly everything, living or dead. It bumps on snakes, lizards, rats, salamanders, and any other creature that moves without hesitation because it enjoys sexual connection.

Jerboa

The Jerboa is a medium-sized rodent with kangaroo-like legs
Jerboas use bipedal movement to skip, leap, and dash away from predators, with irregular changes in speed and direction. Photo: Reptiles4all
Source: Getty Images
  • Mass: 57 grams (0.12 pounds)
  • Trophic level: Herbivorous
  • Lifespan: Up to 6 years
  • Class: Mammalia

Jerboas use bipedal movement to skip, leap, and dash away from predators, with irregular changes in speed and direction. Their unusual movements frequently scare off their predators. They are, however, not very good at evading from their adversaries. They also cannot correctly filter through rubbish in their quest for food.

Goblin shark

  • Mass: 210 kilograms (462 pounds)
  • Trophic level: Carnivorous
  • Lifespan: Up to 60 years
  • Class: Chondrichthyes

What is the dumbest sea animal? The goblin shark swims poorly, has poor vision, and is generally slow. It is so sluggish that it does not search for food. Its teeth are maintained in place by rings of stretchy skin tissue, so when a prey swims by, it merely traps it using the tissue without exerting any effort. It is an easy target for predators, allowing them to approach and take it away.

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Horned lizard

The Desert horned lizard is a species of lizard native to western North America
The horned lizard, with its short, dull nose and flattened body, is exceptionally sluggish. Photo: JeffGoulden
Source: Getty Images
  • Mass: 25 grams and below (0.05 pounds)
  • Trophic level: Carnivorous
  • Lifespan: 5 years
  • Class: Reptilia

The horned lizard, with its short, dull nose and flattened body, is exceptionally sluggish. The dumb-looking animal pauses for its prey to approach before snatching the meal. It likes to spend the day relaxing in its natural surroundings.

Furthermore, its pleasant inclination towards humans causes it to disregard caution when seized for the pet trade or by those who seek to tame it without realising that it rarely survives outside its natural environment.

Lilac-breasted roller

Lilac-breasted roller perched on a small branch in the evening in Masai Mara, Kenya
The lilac-breasted roller does not try to run or hide when approached, making it conveniently available to poachers. Photo: Andrew Sproule
Source: Getty Images
  • Mass: 110 grams (2.4 pounds)
  • Trophic level: Carnivorous
  • Lifespan: 10 years
  • Class: Aves

The lilac-breasted roller ranks as one of the dumbest species on the planet because of its propensity for elevated perches, even when they are not breeding grounds. It does not try to run or hide when approached, making it conveniently available to poachers.

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Japanese land snail

Japanese land snail on the floor.
Japanese land snail exits its shell to defend itself by throwing it at its predator. Photo: NoonVirachada
Source: Getty Images
  • Mass: 1 kilogram (2.2 pounds)
  • Trophic level: Carnivorous
  • Lifespan: 2–3 years
  • Class: Gastropoda

Most snails retreat inside their shells to avoid danger. In contrast, the Japanese land snail, one the most stupid animals in the world, exits its shell to defend itself by throwing it at its predator.

Killdeer

Killdeer at Shoal Harbour Bird Sanctuary in Sidney, BC, Canada
Killdeer races around, yelling its call and drawing the interest of its adversaries. Photo: Dave Hutchison Photography
Source: Getty Images
  • Mass: 88 grams (0.19 pounds)
  • Trophic level: Omnivorous
  • Lifespan: 10 years, 11 months
  • Class: Aves

Killdeer races around, yelling its call and drawing the interest of its adversaries. When confronted by a rival, instead of fleeing, it stands stationary and bounces down and up as if experiencing hiccups. The killdeer also makes its nest on ground level, making it an easy target.

Secretary bird

Secretary birdat Samburu National Park in Kenya
Secretary bird can fly, but it refuses to utilise its wings. Instead, it loves to stroll to capture its prey, primarily snakes. Photo: Gerard Soury
Source: Getty Images
  • Mass: 2300–4270 grams (5–9.4 pounds)
  • Trophic level: Carnivorous
  • Lifespan: 10–15 years (in the wild), 19–20 years (in captivity)
  • Class: Aves

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Even though the secretary bird can fly, it refuses to utilise its wings. Instead, it loves to stroll to capture its prey, primarily snakes. As a result, they are frequently assaulted by venomous snakes, as the bird execute their prey by trampling on it.

Furthermore, their feet cannot grab their food securely. That implies that everything they kill must be swallowed right away, transported in their bill for some time, or just abandoned behind.

Norwegian lemming

Norwegian lemming on the road
The Norwegian lemming will battle animals that are bigger than itself. Photo: AGAMI stock
Source: Getty Images
  • Mass: 70 grams (0.15 pounds)
  • Trophic level: Herbivorous
  • Lifespan: 1–2 years (in the wild) 3.3 years (in captivity)
  • Class: Mammalia

The Norwegian lemming will battle animals that are bigger than itself, such as bullmastiffs, cats, and birds of prey, when necessary. Its principal defence mechanism, the formidable teeth, requires it to come sufficiently close to its predator to take a bite.

Komodo Dragon

The huge Komodo Dragon quickly comes nearer to Rinca Island, Indonesia
The mouth of the Komodo dragon is the dirtiest of any animal. Photo: Kiwisoul
Source: Getty Images
  • Mass: Male 79–91 kilograms (174–200 pounds) Female 68–73 kilograms (149–160 pounds)
  • Trophic level: Carnivorous
  • Lifespan: 30 years (in the wild)
  • Class: Reptilia

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The mouth of the Komodo dragon is the dirtiest of any animal. A single bite from the animal may transmit sufficient E. coli and other pathogens to kill far more powerful animals in just a single day or two. It tracks the bitten victim about, waiting for it to die.

Furthermore, it can consume nearly 80% of its body weight in one meal. It isn't sure when to cease eating, so it gains weight and slows it down significantly.

Northern fulmar chick

Fulmar on its nest at Bempton cliffs in Flamborough Head
Fulmar vomits a poisonous oil that immobilises its adversary. Photo: Alphotographic
Source: Getty Images
  • Mass: 450–1000 grams (0.99–2.2 pounds)
  • Trophic level: Carnivorous
  • Lifespan: 30 years
  • Class: Aves

The northern fulmar chick appears rather foolish as it rests in its nest on rocky ledges with no capacity to fly. When an attacker draws near, it vomits a poisonous oil that immobilises its adversary.

Are pigs the dumbest animals?

No. Pigs are considered one of the most intelligent animals in the world. They have the intellect capacity of a toddler and are regarded as the globe's most intelligent animal! Pigs are considerably more clever and capable of training than any dog breed.

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Is Panda the dumbest animal?

Pandas are considered the world's stupidest animals. They have a terrible record of rearing and nurturing their young ones, with females killing their offspring.

What is the dumbest animal? Above are some of the least intelligent animals in the world. The animal kingdom includes both dumb and sophisticated animals. It's not that the world's stupidest creatures lack brains or cleverness. Their absence of universal logic in their behaviour and actions makes them appear foolish.

Yen.com.gh recently released a fantastic list of the cutest animals in the world. There are millions of adorable and cuddly creatures in the world. These animals are intriguing, having distinctive characteristics and behaviours.

There's no disputing that animals can be cute, from puffy red pandas to lively pikas. These creatures capture everyone's hearts, whether it's their adorable little faces, gorgeous fur, or cute behaviours. Read the post to learn about some of the world's most charming creatures.

Source: YEN.com.gh

Authors:
Tatiana Thiga avatar

Tatiana Thiga (Lifestyle writer) Tatiana Thiga is a content creator who joined Yen in 2022. She is an English literature graduate from Kenyatta University. She has amassed sufficient knowledge working on a variety of topics, including biographies, fashion and lifestyles, guides, and more. In 2023, Tatiana finished the AFP course on Digital Investigation Techniques. You can reach her at tatianathiga@gmail.com