Talking beast

Talking beasts of the World of Narnia were the diverse variety of wild animals (beasts) that possessed human-like intelligence and so were considered sentient beings. Their name comes from the ability of many to use sophisticated verbal communication, usually including human language. Dumb beasts behaved almost entirely like all the non-sentient animals of Earth (with the exception of humans); however, talking beasts were inherently born with an ability to develop rationality and higher-brain decision-making skills. They are also to not to be confused with supernatural beasts, whose sapience/sentience is disputed. See a list of types at "beast".