This is a short ramble but I've seen some people act like slucats are but simple rodents. I heavily disagree with this statement and not quite sure where it came from beyond them looking like it. Simple facts are we seem them even just in Monk's and Survivor's cutscenes to be at least emotionally intelligent enough to have families (reaffirmed in watcher) Not even mentioning downpour if you take it cannon. They have an entire communal society in downpour cannon. The only other intelligent creatures the scavengers have a lot in common with slugcats even gameplay wise. Both being in upright positions being able to use items (hold spears/throw rocks/carry pearls and deliver them) Just like scavangers slugcats can also make the connection to bring things to the iterators (debatable if as gifts or to purposefully be read off) They're also capable of understanding overseer instructions/recieve taskes once the mark of communication has been granted.