Woah woah wait wait wait...how intelligent are dolphins meant to be exactly?

[Enzo]

"Human brain 1.4 kg
Dolphin brain 1.7 kg

MORE NEURONS

A dolphins brain, which processes the signals, has at least double the convolutions of those of humans, as well as nearly 50 per cent more neurons."

From Encyclopedia of Animals a family reference guide.

So is what Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy say about them actually true or what? Have we examined the brains of white mice yet?

[Ciciro]

MORE NEURONS

No, they do not. Human brains have more than 3 times as many neurons. Just because a dolphins brain is bigger does not mean it has more neurons.

[The Hedge Knight]

No the real reason for the apparent discrepancy is that a larger body requires more neurons to control it as it has more muscles etc (check out a sperm whales brain at 7.8kg). Humans still have the highest brains:bodymass ratio (in a very basic sense) giving them more "free" neurones for thought rather than vital functions.

[Enzo]

No the real reason for the apparent discrepancy is that a larger body requires more neurons to control it as it has more muscles etc (check out a sperm whales brain at 7.8kg). Humans still have the highest brains:bodymass ratio (in a very basic sense) giving them more "free" neurones for thought rather than vital functions.

But what about the surface area of the cortex? You could fit more surface area into a smaller volume that way.

"has at least double the convolutions of those of humans"

In any case humans and dolphins appear to be very close on that chart.

[Slaytaninc]

But what about the surface area of the cortex? You could fit more surface area into a smaller volume that way.

"has at least double the convolutions of those of humans"

In any case humans and dolphins appear to be very close on that chart.

Dolphins weigh more, and as he said those extra neurons for Dolphins are needed to control their bodies.

[Aanker]

But what about the surface area of the cortex? You could fit more surface area into a smaller volume that way.

Then it becomes a question of surface area to mass ratios.

In any case humans and dolphins appear to be very close on that chart.

The brain mass/body mass ratio is not the only determinant for intelligence. Regardless, dolphins are fairly intelligent but obviously not more so than humans, at least not in the broadest sense where we take every aspect of intelligence into consideration (it may well be possible that dolphins are capable of the same emotions as humans but lack a multitude of other traits).

I don't know if there is a scale for intelligence that applies to all animals. I suppose it is hard to quantify real intelligence since it encompasses so many things.

What you might want to check is elephant intelligence. Although dolphins are interesting, elephants are outright fascinating.

[Enzo]

The brain mass/body mass ratio is not the only determinant for intelligence. Regardless, dolphins are fairly intelligent but obviously not more so than humans, at least not in the broadest sense where we take every aspect of intelligence into consideration (it may well be possible that dolphins are capable of the same emotions as humans but lack a multitude of other traits).

The important thing they lack are hands they can't build or make anything. But do they have an actual language? I know they have names for each other or call signatures. We're looking for non-human intelligence in space when there could be some here.

What you might want to check is elephant intelligence. Although dolphins are interesting, elephants are outright fascinating.

There seem to have some kind reverence for their dead, they keep messing around with the bones you have the elephant graveyards there. So that will be a sign of greater intelligence.

[Ciciro]

There are around 6 billion neurons in the cortex of a bottlenose dolphin, and 20 billion in the brain of a human. So yeah, humans do have more neurons in their cortex than dolphins.

[Slaytaninc]

There are around 6 billion neurons in the cortex of a bottlenose dolphin, and 20 billion in the brain of a human. So yeah, humans do have more neurons in their cortex than dolphins.

I find it interesting that there are more neurons in the Cerebellum than in the Cerebral Cortex

According to Wikipedia, Dolphins have 5,800,000,000 neurons in their Cerebral Cortex. Elephants have 11,000,000,000 neuron's in theirs, with humans having anywhere from 16,000,000,000 to 23,000,000,000

Humans have 85,000,000,000 neurons total, while Elephants have 23,000,000,000 neurons.

[Savoyard]

I'm awaiting great dolphin societies.


Still waiting.

[mrmouth]

They'll be voting soon.

[Menelik_I]

They'll be voting soon.

The dead already does ... so why not Dolphins.

There is no comparison between man and any animal on earth ... even Egyptians achieved more.

[Phier]

I'm not an expert in dolphin neuroanatomy but I wonder how much of that mass is used for echolocation.

To the web!

Well I did find this expert on their neuroanatomy.

Well I'm right in that they would be better with sounds, but nothing about the size itself. Good information and worth a read if you care about this kinda thing.

[hellheaven1987]

As long as I can get my dolphin steak legally I don't care.

[Menelik_I]

As long as I can get my dolphin steak legally I don't care.

I see the priorities here ... is the Dolphin meat really that good

[hellheaven1987]

I see the priorities here ... is the Dolphin meat really that good

It is red meat so probably taste like beef or horse meat.

[MathiasOfAthens]

Crows are pretty smart too. Some are cowards and fly away when you walk by them. Others stare at you.

[sumskilz]

Crows are pretty smart too. Some are cowards and fly away when you walk by them. Others stare at you.

At the University of Washington, Crows remember the faces of researchers who have captured them and will incite other crows to participate in retaliatory attacks. Anyone who has been involved in tagging crows can't walk from building to building without corvid harassment.

[Lord Baal]

At the University of Washington, Crows remember the faces of researchers who have captured them and will incite other crows to participate in retaliatory attacks. Anyone who has been involved in tagging crows can't walk from building to building without corvid harassment.

I was torn between putting a crow or a eagle on the flag of earth once I conquer it. Now I know, the crow it is.

[Aanker]

Crows are pretty smart too. Some are cowards and fly away when you walk by them. Others stare at you.

Corvids are known to possess significant intelligence. For instance, magpies have self-awareness which is something of an exclusivity to a few select animals (humans, probably dolphins, elephants, chimpanzees, I think orangutans are included)