Recent studies have unveiled the impressive numerical abilities of various animal species, showcasing the complexity of their cognitive skills. These findings offer new perspectives on how different animals perceive and process numbers.
A study published in April 2024 confirmed that rats possess a distinct number sense. Researchers used a novel numerical learning task, brain manipulation techniques, and AI modeling to demonstrate that rats can focus on and learn numbers. This discovery provides a crucial animal model for investigating the neural basis of numerical abilities and disabilities in humans.
In 2024, researchers found that bees organize numbers on a left-to-right mental number line, similar to humans. This suggests that bees have a sophisticated understanding of numerical concepts, challenging previous assumptions about invertebrate cognition. A July 2024 study revealed that zebrafish larvae can distinguish between different visual stimuli and show a preference for certain patterns.
Research published in January 2025 examined how increasing color variety affects numerosity estimation and counting in animals. The study found that animals' ability to estimate and count numbers is influenced by the color diversity of the stimuli, highlighting the complex interplay between visual perception and numerical cognition.
These findings underscore the diverse and sophisticated numerical abilities present across the animal kingdom, offering valuable insights into the evolution and development of numerical cognition. The research highlights the importance of studying animal cognition to better understand the broader scope of intelligence.