T-Rex dinosaurs were only as smart as modern-day reptiles, new research shows

In various movies and television shows, we see that T-rex dinosaurs were smart and clever, compared to other animals. According to some films, these dinosaurs were even smarter than humans. Although some scientists have previously confirmed that the theory is true, a new study now reveals that what we believed until now was incorrect. Researchers claimed in a new study that the T-rex dinosaurs were as smart as today’s crocodiles and lizards. A team of researchers from several universities re-examined the size and structure of the creature’s brain. The research showed that the dinosaurs behaved like today’s reptiles and lizards.

A 2023 study previously claimed that dinosaurs like the T-rex had an unusually large number of neurons. Unlike last year’s study, a new study by Darren Naish from the University of Southampton’s School of Biological Sciences and his team revealed that the dinosaurs were as smart as today’s giant crocodiles.

Hady George from the University of Bristol said determining the intelligence of T-rex dinosaurs and other extinct animals depends on several factors, such as brain size and the structure of fossil footprints.

The team of researchers found that the creature’s brain size was previously overestimated, especially that of the forebrain. This led to an incorrect calculation of the number of neurons. Furthermore, the researchers revealed that the number of neurons does not correctly determine the level of intelligence. They said that to reliably determine the biology of the extinct species, factors such as skeletal anatomy, bone histology, the behavior of living relatives and trace fossils must be examined.

Dr. Kai Caspar of Heinrich Heine University, who also took part in the study, stated that the reconstruction of neurons from endocasts cannot perfectly predict the intelligence level of the dinosaurs. This recent study has sparked several debates in the world of biological science.

Another researcher who was also part of the study, Dr. Ornella Bertrand, said that neuron count is not a reliable source for predicting cognitive performance. Their use can lead to very misleading interpretations.