Giraffes Might Be Even Smarter Than We Thought. Some Can Solve Simple Math Problems, a New Study Suggests
/https://tf-cmsv2-smithsonianmag-media.s3.amazonaws.com/filer_public/88/7b/887b65c7-53f6-4570-985f-50d9cb54ce84/girafes-fig3-sense-sliderg.jpg)
Researchers found that some giraffes can solve simple math problems by combining quantities in their minds.
Reported by 1 outlet — Smithsonian. See all sources ↓
A new study suggests that giraffes are smarter than we thought. Some giraffes can solve simple math problems. This was discovered in an experiment with four giraffes at Barcelona Zoo in Spain.
Why it matters
This discovery shows that giraffes have a unique ability to think in numbers, which is not common in animals.
- What is numerical cognition?
- Numerical cognition is the ability to recognize, interpret, remember and manipulate numbers.
- What other animals can think in numbers?
- Fish, crows, bees, and wolves can also think in numbers.
How outlets are framing the same story
These are the main editorial angles found across reporting. Use them to quickly compare what different outlets emphasize, omit, or question.
The outlets frame the story as a discovery of giraffes' intelligence, with a focus on their unique ability to think in numbers.
- Coverage cardFraming signal1AngleScouting report
Giraffes' ability to think in numbers is a unique discovery.
Sources1TypeAngleSmithsonianHighlights giraffes' surprising math skills
- Coverage cardFraming signal2AngleScouting report
Numerical cognition is not unique to humans and is found in various animal species.
Sources1TypeAngle