• GreyEyedGhost@lemmy.ca
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      11
      arrow-down
      1
      ·
      6 months ago

      I was talking to an outdoorsy type while he was working on a rabbit (?) skin he was softening, and he mentioned that it was brain tanned. So I asked him what that meant and he said there’s something in animal brain that will tan their hides, and the brain the animal has enough for tanning its hide.

      So every animal has enough brains to tan its own hide. That seems strangely appropriate on a metaphorical level.

      • BCsven@lemmy.ca
        link
        fedilink
        English
        arrow-up
        2
        ·
        6 months ago

        I guess most animal brains increase as body size increases, like Elephant has bigger brain than cat. I wonder if anyone scientifically measured the amount of reactive enzyme or whatever is needed. because maybe we all too much

        • Roger Mexico@mas.to
          link
          fedilink
          arrow-up
          5
          ·
          6 months ago

          @BCsven @GreyEyedGhost There is a lot of work on brain size relative to body weight across species. It’s referred to as an “Evolutionary Quotient”. The relationship between brain volume and body mass is approximately linear overall, particularly in a phylum. There are variations off the linear and we generally associate the positive deviations with “smarter” animals.

      • Swordgeek@lemmy.ca
        link
        fedilink
        English
        arrow-up
        1
        ·
        6 months ago

        So every animal has enough brains to tan its own hide.

        It’s a great myth, but it’s entirely incorrect. I guess Silence of the Lambs isn’t required watching anymore.

    • Godric@lemmy.worldOP
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      3
      ·
      6 months ago

      Aye, “Brain mash” is an uncomfortable phrase for civilized people, but survival is debatably the antonym of civilization. Explore!