The intelligence of invertebrate animals

The intelligence of invertebrate animals by Maynard Shipley is a popular scientific publication from the early 20th century. It examines whether and how mind, learning, and problem-solving appear in animals without backbones, weighing instinct against intelligence and using experiments to argue that many invertebrates can learn from experience. The book begins by defining intelligence as the ability to form associations and profit from experience, then contrasts this view with claims that invertebrate behavior is purely instinctive or reflexive. It surveys evidence across groups: earthworms that choose and learn routes and fit materials to burrow openings; starfish and sea-anemones showing plastic but debated behaviors; mollusks like oysters and snails that adapt through experience; and octopi that quickly learn to avoid stings and outwit crabs. Among crustaceans, hermit crabs select and transport protective sea-anemones, show color discrimination, and display homing and cooperation, while horseshoe crabs collaborate to right a stranded mate. Spiders exhibit intricate web engineering guided by touch, rapid prey-routing on webs, camouflage, and nest construction, suggesting more than fixed reflexes.

The intelligence of invertebrate animals, by Maynard Shipley. Republished by OpenStories from Project Gutenberg eBook #78604.