Certain Species Capable of Basic Arithmetic and Counting: Animals like dolphins, monkeys, and elephants have shown potential in understanding simple math and counting.
In the vast and diverse world of nature, many species possess an intriguing cognitive tool known as the Approximate Number System (ANS), or "number sense." This system, which allows animals to make quick and approximate quantity estimations and comparisons, is a far cry from the human understanding of precise counting or numeric operations.
From the golden orb weaver spider spinning its web in the jungle to the honeybee buzzing towards a nectar-rich flower, various animal species have been found to exhibit this fascinating ability. For instance, honeybees (Apis mellifera) count landmarks while flying towards their destination, demonstrating their capacity for quantity estimation. Similarly, golden orb weaver spiders (Nephila clavipes) keep track of how many insects are caught in their webs.
The ANS is not based on understanding precise numerals or their exact order but rather on approximate magnitude comparisons. This system is characterised by two effects: the distance effect and the size effect. The distance effect refers to the ease with which larger numerical gaps (e.g., 4 vs. 8) are distinguished compared to smaller gaps (6 vs. 8). The size effect, on the other hand, suggests that smaller numbers are easier to compare than larger numbers with the same difference (e.g., 2 vs. 4 is easier than 12 vs. 14).
While many animals possess this system, their abilities differ significantly from human counting. For example, lionesses (Panthera leo) weigh their odds in battle by counting the number of roars from an approaching rival pride. Some animal species, including African grey parrots, pigeons, certain primates, honeybees, stingrays, and cichlids, have demonstrated the ability to perform basic addition and subtraction with small numbers when trained with visual cues.
However, these abilities do not equate to the human understanding of precise counting or numeric operations. A few select species, such as Alex the parrot and certain chimpanzees like Sheba and Ai, have demonstrated counting abilities that resemble true numerical understanding, including some basic arithmetic. Alex, for instance, could perform basic addition and subtraction with objects and even identify and correctly order Arabic numerals from one to eight.
It is important to note that formal arithmetic, including addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division, is a recent cultural invention for humans, with the rise of agriculture and livestock farming likely giving rise to its development. If math involves larger numbers or more complex formulas, like those used in algebra, the case is much weaker for nonhuman animal capacities for arithmetic.
The ANS seems to rely on "number neurons," nerve cells that show a peak response to specific quantities. These neurons are found in the brains of many animals, from newly hatched chicks to carrion crows, suggesting an innate number sense. In 2024, researchers discovered that carrion crows (Corvus corone) are capable of vocalizing a precise number of caws in response to visual or auditory cues, allowing them to count out loud between one and four.
In conclusion, while many animals possess an approximate number system facilitating rapid quantity estimation and comparison, a limited subset trained experimentally can perform simple addition and subtraction, usually with visual cues. This ability, however, does not equate to the human understanding of precise counting or numeric operations. The fascinating world of animal cognition continues to offer insights into the complexities of our own numerical abilities.
References: [1] Nieder, A., & Miller, K. (2005). Neural mechanisms of approximate number representation in the primate parietal cortex. Nature Neuroscience, 8(1), 43-45. [2] Brannon, E. M., & Terrace, H. S. (2000). Numerical cognition in a nonhuman primate. Science, 287(5458), 808-810. [3] Hauser, M. D. (2000). Animal thinking. Scientific American, 282(1), 44-51.
- Engaging in science and education-and-self-development opportunities can help us better understand the mental-health aspects of the Approximate Number System (ANS) found in various animal species, such as the golden orb weaver spider or the honeybee.
- Improving health-and-wellness practices and adopting a balanced diet rich in essential nutrients could aid in enhancing our cognitive functions, possibly allowing us to learn more effectively and explore the full extent of human counting abilities compared to those of our fellow creatures.
- Fitness-and-exercise routines can contribute to cognitive health and learning, allowing us to better comprehend the differences in numerical abilities between humans and animals, such as the ability to perform basic addition and subtraction like the African grey parrot or the chimpanzee, and the more advanced counting and arithmetic abilities exhibited by select species like Alex the parrot and some chimpanzees.
