The Smartest Creature in Prehistoric ERA

TROODON (Raptor)

Troodon had a large brain for its relatively small size and was probably among the smartest dinosaurs. Its brain is proportionally larger than those found in living reptiles, so the animal may have been as intelligent as modern birds, which are more similar in brain size. One of the smallest and among the most intelligent dinosaurs available to the Hammond Foundation, Troodon can be distinguished by its large eyes, small stature, and venomous bite, which allows them to slowly subdue animals many times their own size.

The Troodon was a small, bird-like dinosaur that lived during the Cretaceous Period, about 76 million years ago. It stood about 11 feet tall and weighed about 110 pounds. An egg-layer, it had behaviors in common with both crocodiles and birds; scientists are still uncertain about its status as an ancestor of either or both. 

The Troodon had a very large brain for its size—even larger, relatively speaking, than the brains of modern reptiles. That suggests it may have been smarter than the average dinosaur, and perhaps even as intelligent as modern birds. While Troodon is often touted as the world's smartest dinosaur, this both exaggerates this carnivore's intelligence and plays down its other, equally intriguing attributes.

In addition to a bigger brain, Troodon possessed larger eyes than most theropod dinosaurs, a hint that it either hunted at night or that it needed to gather all the available light from its cold, dark North American environment (another dinosaur that pursued this evolutionary strategy was the big-eyed Australian ornithopod Leaellynasaura). Processing more visual information necessarily entails having a larger brain, which helps to explain Troodon had relatively high IQ.

Troodon Laid Clutches of 16 to 24 Eggs at a Time 

Troodon is famous for being one of the few carnivorous dinosaurs whose parenting routines are known in detail. To judge by the preserved nesting grounds discovered by Jack Horner in Montana's Two Medicine Formation, Troodon females laid two eggs per day over the course of a week or so, resulting in circular clutches of 16 to 24 eggs (only a few of which would have escaped being eaten by scavengers before hatching). As is the case with some modern birds, it's possible that these eggs were brooded by the male of the species.

Troodon Had Binocular Vision 

Not only were the eyes of Troodon larger than normal, but they were set toward the front rather than the side of this dinosaur's face—an indication that Troodon possessed advanced binocular vision, with which it could target small, skittering prey. By contrast, the eyes of many herbivorous animals are set toward the sides of their heads, an adaptation that allows them to detect the presence of approaching carnivores. This forward-facing anatomy, so reminiscent of that of humans, may also help to explain Troodon's reputation for extreme intelligence.

Behaviour

Without genetic modifications, Troodon are highly social animals and, as such, are comfortable in groups of between four and sixteen other Troodon. Similarly, they can tolerate large numbers of other dinosaurs in the same enclosure, preying on ornithopods, ornithomimids, and pachycephalosaurids, while avoiding large carnivores, armored herbivores, and sauropods. They will, however, fight back against small carnivores like Velociraptor and Dilophosaurus if attacked. Troodon also possess a venomous bite, much like a snake.

Troodon is a dubious genus from the Two Medicine Formation. T. formosus was once considered one of the most prolific species in North America, but in recent years, most of its fossils were moved to the genera Stenonychosaurus and Latenivenatrix, and some teeth from Hell Creek were given to Pectinodon, leaving only the type specimen, a tooth, to the genera. This leaves no diagnostic traits that can differentiate Troodon from its relatives. The in-game Troodon most closely resembles the wolf-sized Stenonychosaurus. Interestingly enough, due to the rules of taxonomy, the group name for these two genera is still called Troodontidae.

The Troodontidae family is a sister group to the Dromaeosauridae. The family relation can be seen in the genus sporting a similar raised, sickle-shaped claw on the foot. This claw was likely used to aid in climbing as well as in pinning down prey underfoot while killing or eating, as early Mesozoic birds and modern birds of prey have similar claws.

The Troodon is believed to be among the most intelligent dinosaurs. This is based on the family having some of the largest brains for their body size across Dinosauria. While other factors beyond brain-to-body size ratio do exist when accounting for intelligence, it is still reasonable to assume Troodontids were among the smartest animals on the planet in their time. Some paleontologists speculate that Troodonwas as smart as a modern-day fox.

Troodon was covered in feathers like all members of its family. In life, one could have favorably compared its appearance to a toothed bird with a long tail.

The Smartest vs The Biggest

It’s brain vs. brawns in the ultimate dinosaur showdown. In one corner, we have the giganotosaurus and in the other, the troodon. Although they lived in two completely separate eras, if these two creatures were to fight, who would win?

Which dinosaur would be the strongest? Who would have the best tactics? And would this be a fair fight?

Before we get to our fight, let’s look at the tale of the tape. The giganotosaurus is the brawn in this fight, it weighs in at over 12,000 kg (26,455 lbs) and 12.5 meters (41 ft) long. Even though this creature is massive, it can still run at 56 km/h (35 mph).

And next, we have our brains, the troodon. This dinosaur is tiny compared to its challenger. Weighing in at just 45 kg (100 lbs) and only 2 m (6.5 ft) in length. Despite the troodon having a massive size disadvantage, does it still stand a chance?

Being the brains of this battle, the troodon knows that it can’t pick a fair fight with the giganotosaurus. And as we can see, the troodon is beginning to stalk the giganotosaurus from afar. But the giganotosaurus is hunting for something to eat and is completely oblivious to its opponent.

Since the troodon is so light on its feet, it’s able to sneak up on the giganotosaurus and bite its heels. And now the giganotosaurus is toppling over. Since it’s so top-heavy, even the smallest nick to its lower body can be devastating.

Although it looks like the bite on its heel is just a small wound, the giganotosaurus is definitely stunned. The troodon is now circling its prey, getting ready to strike next, until it sees the giganotosaurus beginning to stand back up.

As the troodon knows it can’t go one-on-one against the giganotosaurus, it scurries away. Now the giganotosaurus knows it’s being hunted and is on the lookout for the troodon. The giganotosaurus spots its opponent and is charges at it. But the troodon starts to run away, and since both dinosaurs move at roughly the same speed, it’ll be a battle of endurance.

As the chase continues, it looks like both creatures are too exhausted to run. They finally stop and are head-to-head.

Now it’s time for round 2.

The troodon and the giganotosaurus are finally face-to-face. Naturally, being the bigger predator, the giganotosaurus makes the first move and tries to chomp the troodons head off. But being the more agile creature, the troodon is able to dodge this attack. Now the troodon is sweeping around the giganotosaurus and bites the dinosaur’s heel once again. Ouch! That’s got to hurt.

The giganotosaurus is down once again, this time with two bites on its ankles. It’s having a harder time getting up now, but wait–what’s that?” Oh my god! A pack of troodons are coming to help take down the giganotosaurus. This is because these creatures hunt in packs.

So instead of a one-on-one battle, this is now a handicap match. And now, the giganotosaurus is surrounded and stands no chance against the pack of troodons. The troodons are quickly picking away at the giganotosaurus and claiming their victory. Although the giganotosaurus was bigger and stronger, it stood no chance against the troodon’s impeccable strategy and agility.