New Study Challenges Previous Research on Dinosaur Intelligence: Did They Actually Have Neurons Comparable to Reptiles?
A new study has examined the size and structure of dinosaur brains and found that they had intelligence comparable to reptiles, contrary to previous research suggesting that Tyrannosaurus rex was highly intelligent. The international research involved the University of Bristol in Britain and found that dinosaurs likely behaved more like crocodiles and lizards than baboons in terms of intelligence.
The study focused on analyzing the size and structure of dinosaur brains, including their number of neurons, to draw these conclusions. Last year, research from Vanderbilt University in the US suggested that Tyrannosaurus rex had a higher level of intelligence than previously believed, based on the number of neurons in its brain. However, a recent study published in The Anatomical Record in April refutes these claims by stating that the size of dinosaur brains and number of neurons were overestimated.
The researchers emphasize the importance of considering other factors such as skeletal anatomy and behavior when determining cognitive abilities. They caution against misleading interpretations that may arise from equating the number of neurons with intelligence. The findings suggest that Tyrannosaurus rex was likely more similar to intelligent giant crocodiles than highly intelligent baboons. Overall, this study highlights the complexities involved in assessing the intelligence of extinct species like dinosaurs and underscores the need for a more comprehensive approach when studying cognitive abilities in these creatures.
