Australian researchers have found that giraffes are endowed with the ability to conduct statistical reasoning. It is reported by Gismeteo with reference to Conversation.
Previously, only primates and birds showed such abilities, which was explained by the size of their brains.
In the current study, experts used zucchini and carrots. Giraffes like carrots, but zucchini doesn’t. Working with four individuals, the experts placed vegetable slices in containers in varying proportions.
Each test consisted of 20 trials in which the examiner selected a slice of carrot from each container without showing it to the animal. The giraffe would then touch the hand it was about to eat from, using only information about the number of carrots and zucchini in the containers.
The first test implied that the correct answer for the giraffe was to choose a container with more carrots and less zucchini. In the second, the amount of carrots was identical in two containers, however, one contained fewer zucchini slices. The third time, the researchers distributed treats in reverse. Animals invariably preferred the variant with a large amount of carrots.
As the results show, a large brain is not needed to develop statistical skills. In addition, according to the assumption of experts, such skills can actually be quite common among representatives of the fauna.
Source: Rosbalt
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