Limits RegistryPUBLIC RECORD
Limits RegistryThe African elephant brain contains about 257 billion neurons, roughly three times the ~86 billion of the human brain. However, about 98% of these (around 251 billion) are in the cerebellum, while the elephant cerebral cortex holds only about 5.6 billion neurons, a third of the human cortical count. The count was published by Suzana Herculano-Houzel and colleagues in 2014.
The question, scope, and sources behind this Registry record.
The African elephant brain contains about 257 billion neurons, roughly three times the ~86 billion of the human brain. However, about 98% of these (around 251 billion) are in the cerebellum, while the elephant cerebral cortex holds only about 5.6 billion neurons, a third of the human cortical count. The count was published by Suzana Herculano-Houzel and colleagues in 2014.
The greatest total number of neurons counted in a whole brain of any animal species using isotropic fractionation.
Change a parameter to stress-test whether a proposed result is still inside the published specification. This is an audit aid, not a proof checker.
This record has no editable parameters. Read the formal question and assumptions before challenging it.
Current frontiers derived from accepted Claims.
An observed or demonstrated result; no opposing bound is implied.
The frontier is not sacred
Most progress starts with a disagreement that survives contact with evidence. If you can push the known lower bound up or pull the upper bound down, show us the work.
≥ when you have shown that at least this value is achievable.≤ when you have shown that anything above this value is impossible.No vibes. State the value, define the scope, and link the paper, proof, code, or reproduction that lets another person check it. Editors review every challenge before the public record changes.
Challenge this recordAssertions tied to evidence, attribution, and review.
The frontier as it changed over time.
Only accepted Claims matching the current specification contribute to the displayed bounds. Strict inequalities remain open; contradictory Claims require editorial review.
1 accepted Claim, with 1 linked evidence records.
Permanent ID limitsregistry.com/limits/LR-MOST-NEURONS-ANY-ANIMAL-BRAIN-AFRICAN-ELEPHANT
No active verified bounties are linked to this Limit.
View verified bounty tracker ↗No accepted machine-checked reproductions are recorded for this Limit.
Limits Registry. LR-MOST-NEURONS-ANY-ANIMAL-BRAIN-AFRICAN-ELEPHANT. Most neurons in the brain of any animal measured. 2026.