Finding the Intelligence of an Animal.
Intro:
Hi, on this page you will find an experiment testing out the cranial index of 12 different skulls. Two students, Katrina Hicks (Lawrence High) and Mimi Dougherty (Notre Dame), have decide to do a scientific study to further explore the cranial capacity of 12 different skulls in comparison to their skull size or greatest length of the skull. This study was based off a field trip that the STEM Teacher Academy students had gone to on July 18th, 2013. The field trip was to the Science Liberty Center in North Jersey. While at the Museum, our program was given an amazing opportunity to examine and understand a creature through studying the skeletal structure of an animal skull. By examining the skull of an animal, we can learn about that animal's diet, sense of smell, sense of vision, and even intelligence. For our mini project, we decided challenge this concept for ourselves.
Hypothesis:
Is there a resulting pattern as far the intelligence of an animal in comparison to other animals? We believe there is a set pattern to the intelligence between a group of animals.
Materials:
Data:
Cranial Index (definition) -
Bull
Cranial Capacity:
Cranial Index: 98%
Deer
Cranial Capacity:
Cranial Index: 65.9%
Pig
Cranial Capacity:
Cranial Index: 44.2%
Raccoon
Cranial Capacity:
Cranial Index: 36.2%
Cat
Cranial Capacity:
Cranial Index: 28.1%
Badger
Cranial Capacity:
Cranial Index: 13.6%
Gray Fox
Cranial Capacity:
Cranial Index: 22%
Squirrel
Cranial Capacity:
Cranial Index: 13.1%
Prairie Dog
Cranial Capacity:
Cranial Index: 10.7%
Marmot (Groundhog)
Cranial Capacity:
Cranial Index: 14%
Jack Rabbit (Hare/Domestic Rabbit)
Cranial Capacity:
Cranial Index: 13.3%
Human
Cranial Capacity:
Cranial Index: 506.5%
Concluding, our hypothesis is correct due to evidence showing a clear pattern in animal intelligence. Animals who were predators in comparison to prey were of a higher intelligence. This concept is possible to the fact that in order for a predator to catch his prey, he must be of a higher intelligence in order successfully catch his prey. In more depth, categories such as Carnivore, Omnivore, and Herbivore, carnivores were indeed the smartest animal category; disclosing humans)
Hi, on this page you will find an experiment testing out the cranial index of 12 different skulls. Two students, Katrina Hicks (Lawrence High) and Mimi Dougherty (Notre Dame), have decide to do a scientific study to further explore the cranial capacity of 12 different skulls in comparison to their skull size or greatest length of the skull. This study was based off a field trip that the STEM Teacher Academy students had gone to on July 18th, 2013. The field trip was to the Science Liberty Center in North Jersey. While at the Museum, our program was given an amazing opportunity to examine and understand a creature through studying the skeletal structure of an animal skull. By examining the skull of an animal, we can learn about that animal's diet, sense of smell, sense of vision, and even intelligence. For our mini project, we decided challenge this concept for ourselves.
Hypothesis:
Is there a resulting pattern as far the intelligence of an animal in comparison to other animals? We believe there is a set pattern to the intelligence between a group of animals.
Materials:
- Grain Rice
- 3 Different Size Funnels
- Small Graduated Cylinder
- Medium Graduated Cylinder
- Large Graduated Cylinder
- 12 Different Skull specimen
- Caliper (Tool to Measure Skull)
- Ruler
Data:
Cranial Index (definition) -
Bull
Cranial Capacity:
- Educated Guess:550ml
- ACTUAL: 485ml
Cranial Index: 98%
Deer
Cranial Capacity:
- Educated Guess: 90ml
- ACTUAL: 180ml
Cranial Index: 65.9%
Pig
Cranial Capacity:
- Educated Guess: 55ml
- ACTUAL: 86ml
Cranial Index: 44.2%
Raccoon
Cranial Capacity:
- Educated Guess: 36ml
- ACTUAL: 40ml
Cranial Index: 36.2%
Cat
Cranial Capacity:
- Educated Guess: 45ml
- ACTUAL: 24ml
Cranial Index: 28.1%
Badger
Cranial Capacity:
- Educated Guess: 35ml
- ACTUAL: 10ml
Cranial Index: 13.6%
Gray Fox
Cranial Capacity:
- Educated Guess: 35ml
- ACTUAL: 17ml
Cranial Index: 22%
Squirrel
Cranial Capacity:
- Educated Guess: 20ml
- ACTUAL: 8ml
Cranial Index: 13.1%
Prairie Dog
Cranial Capacity:
- Educated Guess: 10ml
- ACTUAL: 6ml
Cranial Index: 10.7%
Marmot (Groundhog)
Cranial Capacity:
- Educated Guess: 25ml
- ACTUAL: 12.5ml
Cranial Index: 14%
Jack Rabbit (Hare/Domestic Rabbit)
Cranial Capacity:
- Educated Guess: 30ml
- ACTUAL: 11ml
Cranial Index: 13.3%
Human
Cranial Capacity:
- Educated Guess: 880ml
- ACTUAL:1005ml
Cranial Index: 506.5%
Concluding, our hypothesis is correct due to evidence showing a clear pattern in animal intelligence. Animals who were predators in comparison to prey were of a higher intelligence. This concept is possible to the fact that in order for a predator to catch his prey, he must be of a higher intelligence in order successfully catch his prey. In more depth, categories such as Carnivore, Omnivore, and Herbivore, carnivores were indeed the smartest animal category; disclosing humans)