What if the asteroid never wiped out the dinosaurs? The Troodon!!

What Might Have Happened if the Dinosaur Extinction Never Occurred? A Focus on Troodon

The asteroid impact that precipitated the mass extinction event 66 million years ago drastically reshaped Earth’s biosphere. But what if that catastrophic event had never taken place? Could some dinosaur lineages have continued their evolutionary journey toward intelligence and complexity? Among the prime contenders for this hypothetical scenario are the troodontids, a group of small, bird-like theropod dinosaurs.

Why Consider Troodontids as Potentially Intelligent Ancestors?

Several characteristics make troodontids prime candidates for the evolution of advanced cognition:

• Remarkably Large Brain-to-Body Size Ratio: Troodontids possessed some of the highest brain-to-body ratios among non-avian dinosaurs, comparable to, or even exceeding, those of modern birds. This suggests a capacity for complex behavior and problem-solving.

• Enhanced Visual Capabilities: Their forward-facing eyes provided excellent depth perception, an advantage for intricate hunting strategies and environmental awareness.

• Dexterous Hands: With grasping appendages, they were well-equipped for manipulating objects, an essential trait for tool use and innovative behavior.

• Evidence of Social Behavior: Fossil findings hint at parental care and social structures, indicating a level of cognitive sophistication beyond mere instinct.

A Hypothetical Evolutionary Path

In a world where the asteroid never struck, troodontids or their close relatives might have continued to adapt and evolve, potentially developing higher intelligence. Some paleontologists, like Dale Russell, have even speculated about the emergence of a humanoid, upright-descended “dinosauroid” based on Troodon—though this idea has faced criticism as being overly anthropomorphic.

Other Potential Candidates for Elevated Intelligence

While troodontids are compelling, other dinosaur groups might also have pursued complex evolutionary paths under different circumstances:

• Dromaeosaurs (e.g., Velociraptor): Sharing many traits with troodontids, including sharp intelligence and social hunting behaviors.

• Ornithopods (such as Iguanodon or Hadrosaurs): Although less predatory and with lower encephalization levels, they exhibited social behaviors that could have been stepping stones toward greater cognitive abilities.

Conclusion

Had the mass extinction not occurred, small, agile, bird-like theropods—particularly troodontids—stand out as the most promising ancestors for potential evolution into highly intelligent species. Their unique combination of brain size,