Scientists: Why dogs are smarter than cats
Researchers at Oxford University say they've finally discovered which is smarter cats or dogs… and cat owners aren't going to like it.Boffins claim dogs have developed bigger brains than cats because highly social species of mammals need more brain power than solitary animals.
The team analysed data on the brain and body size of more than 500 species of living and fossilised mammals from the past 60 million years.
It was found the brains of monkeys had grown the most over time, followed by horses, dolphins, camels and dogs.
Cats and other solitary animals had significantly less brain growth. Next researchers will look into whether dog or cat owners are smartest.
Lead author Dr Susanne Shultz, a Royal Society Dorothy Hodgkin Fellow at ICEA, said: "This study overturns the long-held belief that brain size has increased across all mammals.
"Instead, groups of highly social species have undergone much more rapid increases than more solitary species.
"This suggests that the cooperation and coordination needed for group living can be challenging and over time some mammals have evolved larger brains to be able to cope with the demands of socialising."
LINKS
Oxford University
"Instead, groups of highly social species have undergone much more rapid increases than more solitary species.
"This suggests that the cooperation and coordination needed for group living can be challenging and over time some mammals have evolved larger brains to be able to cope with the demands of socialising."
LINKS
Oxford University
