Animal Smarts

Many animals use tools to find food, groom themselves, or attract a mate. Some use sticks and stones that they find. Others make their own tools. From orangutans with umbrellas to sea otters with favorite stones, meet some amazing animal tool users.

Animals use all kinds of clever ways to keep in touch, attract a mate, or warn off enemies. Many communicate with sound. Others use flashing lights, smells, or chemicals. From whales, who sing for a mate, to a peacock's shimmering tail, meet the animal kingdom's smartest communicators.

Animals team up to find food, shelter, or to help with cleaning. Some of the relationships can be surprising. From tiny fish that clean bigger fish to ants that farm their own food, meet some smart animals that help each other out to survive.

Animals build incredible structures. Some make homes in which they raise their young and keep them safe. Others create traps to catch prey. From beavers, who build their lodges on water, to tiny termites, whose homes have air conditioning, meet the animal kingdom's smartest builders.

Many animals have colors and patterns that blend into their surroundings. Others can change color or shape. Animals do this to hide from predators or to catch prey. From colorful chameleons to striped zebras, meet some smart animals that have perfected the art of disguise.

Animals use their senses to survive. They use them to find food, stay away from danger, and find their way around. Many animals have the same senses that we have, but some have extra, special senses. From sharp-eyed eagles to bats that "see" with sound, read about the animals with amazing senses.