Yeerk Intelligence

[Tim Bruening]

How can a slug with a brain smaller than the size of a human ear canal be as intelligent as a human?

[RYTX]

What is intelligence? What is it's basis?
Humans consider themselves the height of earthly intelligence, but they do not know how or why. Some animals perform tasks we consider intelligent, arguably some plants, and despite having seeming to have the proper biology, human intellect varies extensively from person to person.
We don't know nearly enough about the subject to be able to say why anything is intelligent at all, much less more or less than some other species.


However, crappy freshman bio answer:
Yeerks have a different neurobiology (smaller, but more cells and/or more efficient neural arrangements) allowing them to have higher cognitive function than similar sized, or even larger earth animals

[Chad32]

A Yeerk's mental state is at least partially dictated by its host. Hork-Bajir controllers are often dim. Taxxon controllers are often as bloodthirsty as their hosts. Human controllers are more emotional. Visser Three is as crazy as he is partially because of his host.

So higher intelligent minds can lead to higher intelligent Yeerks. One might even guess that part of the reason the Yeerks rebelled in the first place is because they lacked the intelligence to see the long term problems with their ambition. The only reason they even took the Hork-Bajir homeworld is because Alloran underestimated them. If he had come in with his full force, and came at them with all his power, they would have lost badly. They straddled that fine line throughout the war.

[Tim Bruening]

What is intelligence? What is it's basis?
Humans consider themselves the height of earthly intelligence, but they do not know how or why. Some animals perform tasks we consider intelligent, arguably some plants, and despite having seeming to have the proper biology, human intellect varies extensively from person to person.
We don't know nearly enough about the subject to be able to say why anything is intelligent at all, much less more or less than some other species.


However, crappy freshman bio answer:
Yeerks have a different neurobiology (smaller, but more cells and/or more efficient neural arrangements) allowing them to have higher cognitive function than similar sized, or even larger earth animals

Yeerks are smart enough to have learned how to operate Zero-Space starships, computers, energy weapons, and other advanced tech.  They are also smart enough to have figured out how to manufacture those items for themselves.  They also outwitted the Andalites on several occasions.