Uploaded January 2023 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
How smart were dinosaurs? Were dinosaurs as smart as primates? The debate over theropod intelligence is a continuing one, with factors like EQ and neuron density competing for respect in the scientific community. With isotropic fractionation, we learned that it's possible for dinosaurs as smart as primates to have existed. Megatheropods may have been among the most intelligent dinosaurs. How smart was T.rex? T.rex, if its neuron density was similar to those of its close avian relatives rather than nonavian reptiles, could be smarter than a baboon.
Dinosaur intelligence is a constantly shifting science, but a technique known as isotropic fractionation may hold the key to unlocking the secrets of ancient dinosaur brains. Suzana Herculano-Houzel investigated dinosaur neuron density and discovered that some theropods may have been as intelligent as primates and modern corvids, suggesting complex problem-solving, tool use, and culture building even in the world's largest terrestrial predators.
Links to studies:
Herculano-Houzel 2023: onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/cne.25453
Herculano-Houzel and Lent 2005:
jneurosci.org/content/25/10/2518
Capuchin Intelligence: link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-4-431-75179-3_1
Kverkova et al 2022: pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2121624119
Rogers 1998: sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0896627300805851
Image Background: vecteezy.com/free-vector/sci-fi-background"
How smart were dinosaurs? Were dinosaurs as smart as primates? The debate over theropod intelligence is a continuing one, with factors like EQ and neuron density competing for respect in the scientific community. With isotropic fractionation, we learned that it's possible for dinosaurs as smart as primates to have existed. Megatheropods may have been among the most intelligent dinosaurs. How smart was T.rex? T.rex, if its neuron density was similar to those of its close avian relatives rather than nonavian reptiles, could be smarter than a baboon.
Dinosaur intelligence is a constantly shifting science, but a technique known as isotropic fractionation may hold the key to unlocking the secrets of ancient dinosaur brains. Suzana Herculano-Houzel investigated dinosaur neuron density and discovered that some theropods may have been as intelligent as primates and modern corvids, suggesting complex problem-solving, tool use, and culture building even in the world's largest terrestrial predators.
Links to studies:
Herculano-Houzel 2023: onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/cne.25453
Herculano-Houzel and Lent 2005:
jneurosci.org/content/25/10/2518
Capuchin Intelligence: link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-4-431-75179-3_1
Kverkova et al 2022: pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2121624119
Rogers 1998: sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0896627300805851
Image Background: vecteezy.com/free-vector/sci-fi-background"
