Posted on 12/05/2017 7:36:59 PM PST by MtnClimber
Dogs and raccoons are among the most intelligent animals on Earth, according to a new investigation of mammal brains.
ntelligence is hard to define in humans, but much less in other animals. One reason is that all species have evolved to be as “smart” as is necessary for their survival. In fact, some of the most populous animals on the planet have relatively unimpressive brains. “Mice have tiny brains with few neurons and, if asked, they would certainly say that they're doing very well, thank you,” Suzana Herculano-Houzel of the Vanderbilt Brain Institute told Seeker. Dogs have average-sized brains, so when Herculano-Houzel and her colleagues recently compared them to those of other mammals, they were shocked by the resulting data. It turns out that dogs have about twice the number of cerebral cortex neurons as cats. “To put our findings into context: we humans have twice the cortical neurons that gorillas have,” said Herculano-Houzel, whose work on primates is outlined in the book The Human Advantage. “So, our new study provides reason to expect that dogs have the biological capability for much more complex and flexible behavior than cats do.”
She explained that there is a direct correlation between total numbers of cortical neurons and intelligence, given that neurons are the information-processing units in the brain. She added that the cerebral cortex is the part of the brain that can combine information from different sources and create new associations, recognize patterns, make decisions to act differently based on past experience, and start to make predictions for the future. “For that reason,” she continued, “whatever species has the most neurons in the cerebral cortex is therefore expected to be capable of more complex and flexible behavior.”
(Excerpt) Read more at seeker.com ...
Different strengths, and very hard to measure in sum, but a 2X difference (either way)? Not a chance!
The mallard and the moggie playing together—that’s adorable!
There ya go!
The wife and I have seven cats. Last night they told us they didn’t want to be called ‘’cats’’ anymore. They said from now on the wanted to be known as “Feline-Americans’’. I dunno... sounds kinda smart to me.
Had a cat which liked to beat up my sisters Boston Terrier
for fun
Cat would see dog coming and hide behind furniture, then jump the dog.....
Being the mother of three wonderful dogs and a precious Maine Coon cat, I can attest that both dogs and cats are very intelligent.
Normally, I would enjoy this thread but, since Monday night, all three of my dogs have been missing.
They like to roam and play in the woods across the street and, at times, stay away longer than they should. But, what worries me is that, this afternoon, I heard three gunshots in the woods. Three dogs, three gunshots. I am really worried this time. They have never been gone for this long.
If you will, please pray for my beloved fur babies’ safe return. Because of health and other issues, I never had my own children so they are my family and I am grieving right now.
Thanks.
Improperly stated.
You should have said "My feline master disagrees".
My kitties were smart — some distant, some affectionate. The canines vary, but if connectivity is a sign of intelligence, my GSD is brilliant.
“I’ve never seen a cat eating dog poop.”
Or their own vomit.
The management of the complex where I live put out one of those humane traps to catch a feral cat.
Every day when we passed the trap, the food was gone and the trap sprung. I don’t know if they ever caught it, or how the cat did it - or if it was some other critter.
It’s amazing how tenacious animals can be. I gave a mockingbird a peanut the other day. It spend about ten minutes trying to peck it down to manageable size, and kept at it though all the while I threw smaller, crumbled ones right in front of it.
haha, very good point. :D
Depends....I’ve known some STUPID dogs and SMART cats....Basset Hound, anyone?
Ha...my neighbor told me when she was young (about 4) the family cat would do the SAME THING to her...hide and jump on her and knock her down, when the parents were not looking.
oh no, prayers for you
Agree on the cat part. I have an Irish setter and a jack russell. Both of them are pretty stupid, especially the jack russell. I have never hated an pet in my life until this dog. Runs in the garage every time you open the door and stands and barks for hours at the garage door, will piss and crap in floor and stand there and bark. I have tried positive/negative reinforcement to no end with this stupid little turd. We kennel the dogs at night and he would rather stand in a cold garage and bark all night than kennel in a warm laundry room, eat and drink.
The Irish setter is a lovable kind of dufus. She is protective of the kids.
Thanks so much. This morning they came home safe and sound.
Thanks for the prayers!
Thank you. This morning they came home safe and sound.
Thanks for your prayers!
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