A recent study from the University of Bristol has proposed that dinosaurs behaved more like crocodiles and lizards than previously believed. This new research challenges the previous notion that dinosaurs were as intelligent as reptiles. Meanwhile, a study from Vanderbilt University last year suggested that Tyrannosaurus rex had a large number of neurons, making them significantly smarter than thought. However, a recent study published in The Anatomical Record has found that previous estimates of dinosaur brain size and neuron count were incorrect.
According to the researchers behind the new study, when studying extinct species like dinosaurs, it is essential to consider various factors such as skeletal anatomy and the behavior of living relatives. Snakes George, a researcher at the University of Bristol, emphasized the need for additional evidence beyond neuron count to determine dinosaur intelligence.
The team behind the new study argues that relying solely on neuron count to determine cognitive performance can lead to misleading interpretations. They propose that Tyrannosaurus rex was more similar to intelligent giant crocodiles than baboons, as previously suggested. The aim of this study is to provide a more accurate understanding of dinosaur intelligence by considering multiple factors beyond neuron count.
Overall, this new research highlights the importance of considering multiple factors when studying extinct species and challenges our previous assumptions about their intelligence levels.