Question: Why are dolphins smarter than sharks?

Graeme Dykes answered on 20 Mar 2025:

It kind of depends on how you measure “smart”
Some people say that big brains are important in mammals. Others say that is is brain size relative to body size which is more important.

Animals tend to become “smarter” when there is an advantage

Animals, including humans tend to pick up new traits over many generations. The most useful ones tend to hang around and develop (Evolution)

Maybe Sharks (which have been around for a very long time) are just well adapted to their environment and don’t need to be extra smart