The brain of a dolphin are large, complex and more intricate than that of humans. Many other cetaceans along with dolphins have brain sizes that are larger and possess more folds on the surface. This folding and brain size are correlated with complexity in cognitive abilities.
Dolphins have cognitive traits that can be compared to humans that are rarely found in the animal kingdom; traits such as sentience, which is the ability to perceive or feel emotion and self-awareness, which is to think about one’s own mental thoughts and can identify themselves. Dolphins have been known to recognize themselves when given the chance to look at a mirror, gazing at and amusing themselves by acting playful while watching the mirror.
Dolphin upside down looking into a mirror
Amused by its reflection
Additionally, dolphins are able to perceive and respond similarly to that of humans when committed to a task that needs focused concentration of their mental states. They are able to grasp conceptual tasks very well such as, a communication system that contains hundreds of special gestures and vocals; comprehending human-based communication as well. Finally, their memory for previous incidences are very comparable and similar to humans, indicating that they possess very well developed cognitive characteristics even further.
Dolphin trainer checking the fluke with cooperation of the dolphin
