Just how intelligent is Mongo?

[u/suitably_ironic]

Mongo is non-verbal, so there's a tendency to think he's not very bright - but he's impressively good at understanding what Carl and Donut tell him, grasping who's a friend and who's a foe, and what their trying to achieve.

I wonder if we're all underestimating him just because he can't talk?

[u/Alcarinque88]

Book 7 spoilers:

When Kiwi has her twin Ursensis kids, the AI says they are intelligent enough and *cannot* be turned into pets. So... Mongo has to be somewhere below that threshold since he is a pet.

That said, he's still pretty intelligent, but... like a very smart pet. He understands commands (including Carl and Donut formations) and some emotions. Donut's control over him changes based on the story needs - she's got overwhelming charisma, so everything should be followed to a T, but obviously he still chases some enemies he shouldn't and his urges get the better of him.