For years, humans thought they  were the only creatures to use tools. But it’s not true!  Certain animal species use tools to eat, play and survive. Here are just five species who use tools in everyday activities.

Who Used Tools First,  Humans or Monkeys?
Did humans first learn to use tools by observing monkeys use stones to break nuts?  This video shows a Capuchin monkey using a carefully selected stone to break open a cashew and a scientist explaining the significance of the action. They discovered the monkeys have been doing this for hundreds of years.

Or Maybe Bottlenose Dolphins?
Did humans learn to use sponges from bottlenose dolphins? This dolphin uses a marine sponge to stir sand and uncover prey. It actually uses the sponge to protect its beak from sharp rocks and coral.

It isn’t a fable. Crows think.
Long ago, you may have read Aesop’s fable about a crow using stones to displace water to quench his thirst. Guess what – it isn’t a fable. Crows actually think through this problem and use stones to raise the water level up to the point where they can drink.

The Calculating Fish.
Fishes use tools. Mind blowing, right? And you thought all they did was swim and eat. What’s remarkable about this is how this fish actually solved a problem AND used a tool.  It’s time to rethink how we think about fish – they are wily beasts!  According to Scientific American, this fish  can use “complex mental calculus.”

Elephants Creating a Better Fly Swatter.
Many of us have probably seen a video of an elephant moving logs or swinging a large branch with its trunk. But, researchers found elephants actually modify the branches to be more effective flyswatters.