The animals that survive by counting

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Humans as a species are adept at using numbers, but our mathematical ability is something we share with a surprising array of other creatures. One of the key findings over the past decades is that our number faculty is deeply rooted in our biological ancestry, and not based on our ability to use language. Considering the multitude of situations in which we humans use numerical information, life without numbers is inconceivable. But what was the benefit of numerical competence for our ancestors, before they became Homo sapiens? Why would animals crunch numbers in the first place? It turns out that processing numbers offers a significant benefit for survival, which is why this behavioural trait is present in many animal populations. Several studies examining animals in their ecological environments suggest that representing numbers enhances an animal’s ability to exploit food sources, hunt prey, avoid predation, navigate its habitat, and persist in social interactions. Before numerically

The remarkable ways animals understand numbers 8 September 2020 Share Save Add as preferred on Google Andreas Nieder Features correspondent Press Association For some species there is strength and safety in numbers (Credit: Press Association) Humans as a species are adept at using numbers, but our mathematical ability is something we share with a surprising array of other creatures. One of the key findings over the past decades is that our number faculty is deeply rooted in our biological ancestry, and not based on our ability to use language. Considering the multitude of situations in which w

The animals that survive by counting

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