Animal cognition refers to the mental processes that animals use to perceive, think, and understand their environment. This includes abilities such as problem-solving, memory, and communication. Different species exhibit varying levels of cognitive skills, with some animals, like dolphins and great apes, demonstrating advanced reasoning and social intelligence. Research in animal cognition often involves studying behaviors in natural settings or controlled experiments. Scientists aim to understand how animals learn, adapt, and interact with one another and their surroundings. This field of study helps illuminate the evolutionary origins of intelligence and the similarities and differences between human and animal minds.