New Study Sheds Light on Tyrannosaurus Rex Intelligence: Were They More Like Crocodiles or Baboons?

A recent study analyzing the size and structure of dinosaur brains concluded that they were as intelligent as reptiles. However, a new study from researchers at the University of Bristol claims that Tyrannosaurus rex was not as intelligent as previously believed. The study proposes that dinosaurs behaved more like crocodiles and lizards than previously thought.

The Vanderbilt University study from last year suggested that Tyrannosaurus rex had a large number of neurons, making them significantly smarter than assumed. However, a recent study published in The Anatomical Record found that previous estimates of dinosaur brain size and neuron count were inaccurate. The research team argues that the number of neurons is not a reliable measure of intelligence.

According to the researchers behind the new study, when studying long-extinct species like dinosaurs, it is important to consider various factors such as skeletal anatomy and the behavior of living relatives. Snakes George from the University of Bristol emphasized the need for additional evidence beyond neuron count to determine dinosaur intelligence.

The team behind the new study suggests that relying solely on the number of neurons to determine cognitive performance can lead to misleading interpretations. They propose that Tyrannosaurus rex was more similar to intelligent giant crocodiles, rather than baboons as previously suggested. The study aims to provide a more accurate understanding of dinosaur intelligence by considering multiple factors beyond neuron count.