New research reveals that fish are capable of solving simple mathematical problems, just like humans!

Researchers from Germany have found that both cichlids and stingrays are able to recognize and calculate small tasks without having to count – just as one looks at one’s small money on the table, reports “Study Finds”.

“We have trained animals to perform simple additions and subtractions,” said Dr. Vera Schlussel of the Institute of Zoology at the University of Bonn in a press release. “In doing so, they had to increase or decrease the initial value by one.”

Although some call fish “fools of the animal kingdom” because of their memory duration – which can last only three seconds – the new study reveals their ability to collect and subtract from one to five.

Their numerical skills are at the level of other species of invertebrates and vertebrates, and experts are beginning to suspect that they are as intelligent as birds and mammals.

In the experiments, the team trained the animals to recognize blue and yellow as symbols for addition or subtraction with a factor of one. Eight of the fish were freshwater stingrays and the rest were cichlids. During the experiments, blue meant “add one” and yellow “subtracted one”.

The authors of the study showed each of the fish cards with figures depicting one or the other color in their aquarium, and then presented them with two doors. They contained signs with different numbers of figures – one of which was the correct mathematical answer. For example, if a fish sees three blue figures, it will add one to three and swim through the door, which depicts four figures – receiving a food reward for the correct answer.

Six cichlid fish and three stingrays have learned to associate blue with addition and yellow with subtraction. On average, the cichlids needed 28 lessons to solve the math problems and the stingrays 68 lessons. Overall, they performed well, although collection was easier to digest. Overall, the success of cichlids is different, and they respond correctly in 296 of 381 tests (78%). At the same time, the stingrays responded to 169 out of 180 (94%). In the subtraction test, cichlids responded correctly to 264 out of 381 (69%), while stingrays responded correctly to 161 out of 180 (89%).

The team notes that their findings are surprising, as mathematical skills have no obvious benefit for either species.

“None of the species nests, nor is there information available about preferences for certain social groups,” the researchers said.

However, it is possible that fish that are good at math have important environmental benefits that scientists have not yet discovered.

“Arithmetic skills could be one of many cognitive by-products useful in improving individual recognition (eg by using phenotypic characteristics) or helping to detect changing environmental or social conditions,” the team explains. “Because both species live in complex habitats (rocky lake and coral reef environment), a degree of behavioral flexibility is essential for survival.”

Cats are among the most famous and beloved pets, but have you noticed that they are usually bred mainly by women and are always looking for their presence? In fact, there is evidence from research that cats prefer to be among women instead of men. And here are the reasons why this fact may be due:

Because of the softer voice

Cats love to listen to their owners talk, and they probably like the female voice much more because of its melody. In addition, women are more likely to turn and seek the company of their cats.

Because of the touches

Again, cats are more capricious than dogs when it comes to scratching, touching and petting. They prefer gentler caresses and this will logically be more pleasant if it is performed by a gentle female hand. Men usually have rougher hands and are more restrained. The mistakes you make with your domestic cats

Because of maternal instinct

Women, whether they have children or not, pass on their maternal care to their pets. In this case, cats prefer women because they feel more cared for and loved. And it is very likely that most of the duties at home, such as feeding and cleaning the cat, are performed by the woman. The woman’s care for the cat will remind you of the mother’s caresses and tenderness.

They have some similar features

For example, if we take dogs – they are considered the best friend of men, because they love the dynamics, the weather outside, sports and are usually tidier. By the same token, we can say that cats prefer women because they have similar traits – they are more impulsive, irritable and chaotic, but also more capricious and demanding. Did you know that cats can imitate the human voice?

Because they interact better

Perhaps the main reason for a pet to have a pet among the owners is the time that each of them spends with him and devotes to him. Usually women have the upper hand here, as they take care of cleaning the cat toilet, bathing, eating, etc. and therefore pay more attention to their pet. The cat is influenced just like humans – the more attention and care and attention, the more she will love you and become more hugging.

Of course, we are not saying that cats hate men, but with the above arguments we are trying to explain to you some of the very logical reasons why a cat can choose a woman instead of a man. However, raising a pet is a responsibility and it doesn’t matter what gender you are, if you take good care of it, it will reciprocate with love and respect.