If you have few “grey cells” you need good camouflage, if you are smart you can stand out more. The Austrian biologist Alexander Kotrschal discovered this in a study of 102 frog species. A large-brained animal is probably better able to assess the risk of an approaching snake and save itself with a bold leap at the most opportune moment.
Small-brained individuals, on the other hand, should wear camouflage patterns, according to the study’s conclusion, which was published in the journal Science Advances. “With good camouflage, you can save yourself a big frog brain,” explains Kotrschal, who conducts research at the Department of Animal Sciences at Wageningen University in the Netherlands: “But if you stand out, you need to fall back on intelligence-based escape strategies that can .”
The rise of predators determines which is better
Whether a large brain or good camouflage is better for survival is also determined by the presence of predators, Kotrschal and colleagues report. When there are few predators in an area, meaning the risk of getting into their stomachs is low, frogs can afford to stand out and develop large brains for clever escape behavior (and other cognitive skills).
“This strategy is likely to become less efficient at high fighter pressure, favoring cerebellum and instead for more camouflage,” the scientists conclude in the specialist paper.
Source: Krone
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
