W B Claws, fangs and a large size are the main characteristics that are mentioned when naming prehistoric beings. However, we often leave aside their intelligence. Join us to discover who were the smartest dinosaurs.
#10 TARCHIA
Beginning this top we find the Tarchia, name given to this animal due to the dimensions of its brain, which would have been of a proportionally bigger than the majority of the Ankylosaurus; its name even comes from Mongolian, meaning “intelligent” or “from big brain”, since its skull measured 16 inches. On the other hand, another of the characteristics of this species is its long tail that is believed could have been used as a defense mechanism against different threats.
#9 ORNITHOMIMUS
This dinosaur used to have certain resemblance to the ostriches due to its great size, mainly their legs and their texture, that could reach 12 feet in length, besides being covered with feathers. However, the reason why it is in this top is by the size of its brain in proportion to the rest of his body. Some studies even reveal that it could have had an intelligence similar to that of an ostrich, a quality that is currently No big deal, but in its day, it would have meant a lot, considering that dinosaurs were not the brightest beings.
#8 VELOCIRAPTOR
One of the most famous dinosaurs, seen both in books and movies. Known as a fairly efficient predator, as it is believed to have a hunting method which was based on what is known as “prey retention” similar to that of raptors today, where the velociraptor swooped on its prey and began to devour it alive while waiting for its death because of blood loss or even organ loss.
#7 OVIRAPTOR
Approaching the middle of this top, we find one of the dinosaurs with the most maternal instinct. Although in first instance it was believed that they were “egg thieves” based on the fact that their fossils were found near a nest; however, years later, it would be proved that this species was actually one of the few dinosaurs that hatched their eggs until the hatchlings emerged, a feature that can now be seen in any type of bird, demonstrating its evolution with the passing of years.
#6 ALLOSAURUS
This extremely large species has always been placed at the top of the food chain and we can’t blame it, considering that it reached 39 feet in length. On the other hand, despite not having been as intelligent as the T-Rex, it is described as one of the most intelligent super predators due to their social behavior that could be evidenced in their hunting, since they did it together ambushing large prey, an action deduced based on a large number of fossils found surrounding herbivores trapped in mud.
#5 MAIASAURA
This dinosaur was discovered in North America, in the state of Montana, to be more specific. It was known for its large size measuring up to 30 feet in length, in addition to being able to walk in both four legs and two. However, its main characteristic is that shows a superior intelligence was its maternal sense, since it is understood that this species moved in herds in addition to creating an environment conducive to nesting and caring for the offspring after birth Due to this peculiarity, it’s name, which means “Good mother lizard”, was given.
#4 TYRANNOSAURUS REX
It is difficult to talk about dinosaurs and not to name Tyrannosaurus Rex, and this time it will not be the exception. Although many are surprised, this gigantic species had an intelligence superior to other dinosaurs, since it has been determined that its brain contained large amounts of gray matter which would allow it to better process the information received and use it in a more optimal way. For example, at the time of hunting, despite being a super predator, it chose its prey. A clear example of this is that it normally did not choose as prey dinosaurs as the Ankylosaurus because of its high level of difficulty, a precaution that it must have been learned based on experience.
#3 COMPSOGNATHUS
Who said that intelligence had something to do with size? The Compsognathus is proof of this, since it only measured 3.3 feet, basically the size of a turkey. However, it was its intelligence and its hunting ways that places it inside this top, even though its diet was based on small vertebrates, it is understood that it was quite aware of its surroundings. If it was attacked, it chose to escape in the most feasible way possible, running or even swimming.
#2 DEINONYCHUS
About to reach the first post, we find a dinosaur whose intelligence is proven due to its hunting style; it is said that this species attacked in herds in order to hunt larger and even stronger prey, so it is believed that they managed a fairly sophisticated strategic system for their time and they might even have had a way to communicate with each other.
#1 TROODON
And in the first place, we find the one that many historians consider to be the most intelligent dinosaur, mainly due to having developed a good vision and memory which would have helped it at the time of hunting and, at the same time, evade predators, as well as develop a type of communication between its own species and even a conscience. Some paleontologists even say that this species could have survived the meteorite shock that extinguished dinosaurs.
If the intelligence of some dinosaurs surprised you, comment and share. Until next time.
