The great ape chimpanzee is considered the smartest animal on the planet. They are most-intelligent and can manipulate the environment and their surroundings to support themselves and their community. Chimpanzees know how to use things as tools (to crack open nuts, and to dig for tubers)to get things done faster, and are capable of advanced problem-solving. They have outsmarted humans several times. They also can learn sign language to interact with humans and remember signs for many years.