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Assessing quantity combination and dissociation in giraffes.

Iker Loidi1,2, Álvaro L Caicoya3, Federica Amici4,5

  • 1Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychobiology, Faculty of Psychology, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.

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|June 26, 2026
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Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Giraffes show basic quantity combination skills, but struggle with quantity dissociation and tracking changes. Some giraffes may use advanced cognitive strategies beyond simple cues.

Keywords:
ArithmeticNumerical cognitionNumerosityObject permanenceQuantity discriminationUngulates

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Area of Science:

  • Cognitive Ethology
  • Comparative Psychology
  • Animal Cognition

Background:

  • Numerical cognition research has explored quantity manipulation in various species.
  • Ungulates, like giraffes, are underrepresented in studies of numerical abilities.
  • Understanding quantity processing in giraffes offers insights into the evolution of arithmetic.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the quantity combination and dissociation abilities in giraffes (Giraffa camelopardalis).
  • To explore the underlying cognitive mechanisms, including potential proto-arithmetic skills, in giraffes.
  • To determine if giraffes can mentally track quantities when not directly visible.

Main Methods:

  • Four captive giraffes participated in three experimental tasks (Combination, Dissociation, Subsequent Events) and two control tasks.
  • Tasks involved hidden food quantities, requiring animals to infer amounts based on observed actions.
  • Performance was analyzed for above-chance accuracy, controlling for simpler strategies.

Main Results:

  • Giraffes performed significantly above chance in the quantity Combination task.
  • Performance was at chance level in the Dissociation and Subsequent Events tasks.
  • Two giraffes showed potential reliance on simpler strategies, while two others performed well independently of these strategies.

Conclusions:

  • Giraffes possess rudimentary abilities for combining quantities, suggesting a foundation for numerical processing.
  • The study indicates limitations in giraffes' abilities to mentally dissociate quantities or track changes in hidden amounts.
  • Findings suggest that some giraffes may employ more sophisticated cognitive strategies for quantity assessment, warranting further investigation.