The intelligence of dinosaurs, particularly the T. Rex, has been a topic of heated debate among paleontologists. A 2023 study suggested that the T. Rex might have been as intelligent as a baboon, basing its conclusion on the interpretation of bony braincases. This idea, while intriguing and somewhat intimidating, has been challenged by recent research suggesting that the T. Rex was more akin to a “smart giant crocodile”.
An international team of 11 scientists scrutinized the methods used in the 2023 study to predict the size and neuron count in dinosaur brains. The team found that the methodology was unreliable, resulting in an incorrect estimation of neuron count and brain size. They highlighted the complexity of translating endocast data into reliable information about brain size and function.
An endocast is a cast of the inner cavity of the braincase, but it is not equivalent to the brain itself, as Dr. Kai Caspar, a study author, explained. The information provided by an endocast can vary significantly depending on the animal group and how accurately it captures the shape of the brain.
The research team posited that estimating an extinct animal’s intelligence based solely on neuron count is insufficient. Ideally, the extinct animal should have close living relatives for comparison, which is unfortunately not the case for dinosaurs like T. Rex.
“Anatomical data on the size and proportions of the brain and its components, which can be derived from endocasts, would be desirable,” said Dr. Caspar.
Moreover, evidence from fossil trackways or feeding traces could provide valuable insights into specific behaviors and social habits.
The study presented revised estimates of encephalization and neuron counts in dinosaurs, using modeling informed by extant related species and an adjusted set of brain cavity measurements. The new estimates did not match the intelligence levels of macaques and baboons as proposed in the 2023 study. Instead, they were closer to a crocodile or lizard, which is still quite remarkable.
Dr. Darren Naish, another scientist involved in the study, emphasized that being as smart as a lizard or crocodile is not a negative thing. Modern reptiles demonstrate complex behaviors, and considering dinosaurs like T. Rex in the same light allows for the possibility of social bonds, cooperative behavior, exploration, play, and complex body language and vocalizations.
The study acknowledges the limitations of our current understanding of extinct animals, owing to the incomplete nature of fossil records. However, with careful methodology and ongoing research, new and exciting discoveries about the past are on the horizon.
“Our knowledge of the geological past is woefully incomplete, but things are improving all the time as new information is gleaned and new analyses are run,” added Dr. Naish.
Despite the challenges, our vision of the past is constantly becoming more complex, more vibrant, and more nuanced.
The T. Rex, a terrifying predator that lived towards the end of the Late Cretaceous period, might not have been a brainy baboon but rather a clever crocodile. And this insight, gleaned from rigorous scientific research and vibrant debate, reminds us once again of the incredible complexity of the natural world, both past and present.
The complete study findings are published in The Anatomical Record journal.
The ongoing exploration and discovery of dinosaur intelligence is a humbling reminder of the vastness of our natural history and the persistent curiosity of the human spirit. As we continue to delve into the mysteries of the past, we constantly refine our methods, challenge our assumptions, and expand our understanding.
Despite the continuous evolution of scientific understanding, one thing remains constant: the T. Rex, whether a brainy baboon or a smart giant crocodile, continues to captivate our imagination as one of the most incredible creatures to have ever roamed the Earth.
