> Do other species measure, and optimize? Others use tools, but do they optimize?

They all do. Think of locomotion. Most every animal that can move has a few different ways of doing it. We can walk, or run. An eagle can fly direct or take a circuitous route between updrafts. A whale has sprint mode or easy cruise mode. We are all constantly optimizing how we move in order to minimize expended energy to accomplish a given task.