''yep, the most adaptable creatures are the ones most likely to develop''
don't know about that
there's a big difference between adaptation and development
many animals are amazing at adaptation, but, they don't develop.
I think that there are a lot of secrets we need to uncover about 'curiosity'
Some animals have great adaptation skills. Some of those animals have a natural curiosity - some do not.
Is curiosity a necessary ingredient for survival? Well, no. But for development - it seems to be if one is to develop to high levels.
But then, in some cases - is a lack of curiosity responsible for extinction? - well, maybe.
This business of the two separated groups of neanderthal in the Rhone area - supposedly evidenced in Mandarin shelter - I find not only fascinating, but astonishing - that in a 50 thousand year period that two groups could be within 10 days walk of each other - so 5 days for each one if they met in the middle - but, they somehow seemed to never have met.
If it were us - we'd not only have events happen that made meeting almost a certainty - like being chased by things with big teeth or like getting lost - but, we'd be all over going over there to see 'what's there'
same reason why we're out in space walking about in funny suits.
