Monkeys Can Count: Research Reveals Surprising Numerical Abilities in Primates
For decades, scientists and observers have pondered a fundamental question: can monkeys actually count? Unlike humans, who naturally grasp numerical concepts, primates must develop these skills through unique cognitive pathways. Recent groundbreaking research provides compelling evidence that certain monkey species, particularly rhesus monkeys, possess the ability to distinguish between numbers and, with proper training, execute basic counting tasks.
How Monkeys Track Numbers and Understand Order
Monkeys employ a cognitive trick known as subitizing, which allows them to instantly recognize small quantities without counting. Typically, they can subitize up to four or five items, enabling rapid decision-making in their natural environments. Beyond this range, confusion sets in unless they receive specific training. Intriguingly, human infants exhibit this same capability, identifying small numbers before learning to count formally.
In a landmark 2021 experiment, researchers tested rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta) by displaying a line of identical figures on a touchscreen. The monkeys' task was to tap the sixth figure in the sequence. Initially, they struggled and made errors, but after several months of training, most subjects consistently selected the correct item. Crucially, even when the figures' colors and shapes were altered, the monkeys maintained their accuracy, proving they weren't merely memorizing visual patterns but genuinely tracking numerical order.
How Monkeys' Number Skills Grow With Practice
These findings indicate that monkeys understand numbers more profoundly than previously assumed. While their natural limit involves small quantities, training can extend their counting abilities to higher numbers. Moreover, they demonstrate flexibility by applying learned skills to novel situations, suggesting a sophisticated level of numerical cognition. Such research offers valuable clues about the evolutionary origins of human mathematical abilities.
In the wild, monkeys use subitizing for survival, such as assessing which food pile is larger or estimating the number of nearby individuals. Learning to count, however, requires time and training, highlighting their brain's adaptability. Although humans excel at handling large numbers, monkeys show they can perform more complex counting tasks than once believed, bridging the gap between primate and human intelligence.
