Cats have self-awareness and excellent memories

Cats can actually recognise their own reflection in the mirror. Photo: 123rf.com

Intelligence seems such a simple concept but it’s proven impossible to find a universal definition. At a very basic level, it’s taken as having self-awareness. If you can recognise yourself in a mirror, you’re probably self-aware.

Beyond that, we tend to think of intelligence as involving logic, the ability to learn, think critically, solve problems, plan, anticipate and maybe deal with others with empathy or even have creative skills.