Science fiction reports the possible. In my stories about the Tsaeb (silent T, long a), I assume that intelligence has always been present in higher organisms. Like seeing, hearing, and tasting, animals have always had self-awareness, foresight, and complex emotions. Until science provides a verifiable definition of intelligence that precludes non-human animals, I will argue that everything involving the Tsaeb is science fiction. You can learn more about non-human intelligence here and in the novel Corr Syl the Warrior here.