In recent years, there has been much debate surrounding the intelligence of dinosaurs. While a previous study from Vanderbilt University suggested that Tyrannosaurus rex had a large number of neurons, making them significantly smarter than assumed, a new study published in The Anatomical Record challenges this assumption. Researchers from the University of Bristol argue that previous estimates of dinosaur brain size and neuron count were inaccurate, and that the number of neurons is not a reliable measure of intelligence.
Instead, the team suggests that when studying long-extinct species like dinosaurs, various factors such as skeletal anatomy and the behavior of living relatives should be considered. Snakes George, a researcher at the University of Bristol, emphasized the need for additional evidence beyond neuron count to determine dinosaur intelligence.
The new study proposes that Tyrannosaurus rex was more similar to intelligent giant crocodiles, rather than baboons as previously suggested. By considering multiple factors beyond neuron count, researchers hope to provide a more accurate understanding of dinosaur intelligence.