Lately scientists have found out, larger animals may need the same size brain because there is more body to control. A whale’s brain can weigh almost 20 pounds or 9kg, and can contain over 200 billion nerve cells. A human brain can contain 85 million nerve cells weighing between 2.75 pounds and 3.2 pounds. A honeybee’s brain weighs only 1 milligram and contains fewer than a million nerve cells.
Some increase in brain size does affect an animal’s capability for intelligence and behavior, many size differences only exist in a specific brain region. It’s mainly seen in animals that have more advanced senses, such as sight or hearing, exact movement. The authors suggest that “advanced” thinking requires a very limited number of nerve cells.
In conclusion, big animals aren’t as smart as the little ones. Big animals have big brains to move big parts; brain size has nothing to do with intelligence.
Source: http://www.livescience.com/animals/091124-big-brains-not-better.html
Some increase in brain size does affect an animal’s capability for intelligence and behavior, many size differences only exist in a specific brain region. It’s mainly seen in animals that have more advanced senses, such as sight or hearing, exact movement. The authors suggest that “advanced” thinking requires a very limited number of nerve cells.
In conclusion, big animals aren’t as smart as the little ones. Big animals have big brains to move big parts; brain size has nothing to do with intelligence.
Source: http://www.livescience.com/animals/091124-big-brains-not-better.html
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