Amazing Animal Brains

A virtual science-themed library created by neuroscientists at UNE for kids in grade k-8!

UNE's Brain Fair e-Library 

Can you match the brains to the correct animals?

Take a look at the brains on the next pages and try to match them to the animals they belong to. Ask yourself the following questions throughout this activity: 1. Compare the size of the brain to the animal 2. Are there any major differences in the brains? 3. Are there are lot of folds in the brain? if so, would this animal require a higher level of thinking?

This is the tapetum lucidum in a cow eye. We do not have this layer in our eyes.

Key Differences in Brain Structure

Brain Texture: This refers to a fold (also called gyrus) and grove (also called sulcus) seen in the brain.

The more folds and groves (gyri and sylci) a brain has, the more room a brain has to store information. Therefore, the more intelligent the animal, the more folds and groves in the brain.

Click <a href="https://indianapublicmedia.org/amomentofscience/brain-folds.php">here</a> for more information as to why brains have folds.

Although it may sound like a big and scary term, comparative neuroanatomy can actually be very fun. Let's break down the term to understand its meaning.

Comparative        Neuro              Anatomy

To compare means to identify the similarities and differences between concepts or objects

The prefix Neuro- means that this involves the wonderful and complex nervous system

The word Anatomy means the identification and description of bodily systems

Key Differences in Brain Structure Spinal cord orientation: the spinal cord is vertical in two-legged animals and horizontal in four-legged animals. Brain texture: This refers to a fold (also called gyrus) and grove (also called sulcus) seen in the brain.

Placement of eyes on the head: predatory animals will have eyes in the front of the head, whereas animals that are typically prey will have them on the sides of their head. Brain size equals species size: the larger the animal, the larger the brain.

These are just some of the major differences between animal brains!

Other interesting dolphin brain facts: 1. They have a special type of neurons that are also found in humans, elephants, some species of monkeys, and other marine mammals. 2. Dolphins sleep with only sleep with half their brain at a time. This helps them watch for possible predators and other threats.&nbsp; 3. They can recognize another dolphin by distinct whistles to an individual dolphin. 4. Dolphins send out high frequency clicks from an organ in the skull known as a&nbsp;melon. The melon is also used for echolocation. 5. They have highly developed, abstract thinking, such as self-awareness.

The spinal cord is the stalk-like part of nervous system that connects your nerves to your brain.

The spinal cord is the main pathway for information, connecting the brain to all the nerves in your body. The spinal cord is housed under the vertebra in your backbone.

If you look at dog and fish brains, you will notice a number of differences.

Differences 1. The dog is a larger animal, and therefore has a larger brain. 2. The dog brain has more folds and groves to it because it has a higher level of intelligence than a fish. 3. The fish is a prey animal and the dog is a pretor. Therefore, the eyes of the fish are on the sides of the head, and the eyes of the dog are in the front.

Frequently considered one of the world's smartest animals, is the dolphin. For this reason, you can look at the complexity of the dolphin brain. There are lots of gyri and sylci. 

These animals are one of the smallest land mammal in North America. Though very interesting creatures, their brain function is much less when compared to a dolphin. Therefore, the brain of a shrew has very few folds and groves.

Other interesting facts about shrews: 1. They have small eyes and generally poor&nbsp;vision. To make up for this, they have good senses of&nbsp;hearing and smell. 2. They emit series of ultrasonic squeaks and are the only terrestrial mammals known to&nbsp;echolocate. 3. They lose brain mass during the winter to conserve energy.

(Comparative Neuroanatomy)

Brain size equals species size: The larger the animal the larger the brain. The smaller the animal, the smaller the brain.

Spinal cord orientation: Animals that walk on two legs have a vertical spinal cord. Animals that walk on four legs have a horizontal spinal cord.

Another example of how brains are different can be seen in the size of olfactory bulbs.&#160;

Compared to humans, a dogs or cats rely much more on their sense of smell for finding food. Therefore, a dogs or cats have bigger olfactory bulbs compared to humans.

Placement of eyes on the head: predatory animals have eyes in the front of the head, whereas animals that are typically prey have them on the sides of their head.

Many animals have something called a tapetum lucidum behind their retina. This is why if you see a cat eye 'glow' in the dark, it is because light is bouncing off the tapetum.

Click <a href="https://www.britannica.com/science/tapetum-lucidum">here</a> for for more information!

Many animals' nervous systems have amazing features. Different animals have developed unique brains that help them survive in their environment. Examining these differences is called comparative neuroanatomy.

Just a reminder! Your nervous system includes your nerves and your brain.

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