this post was submitted on 28 Apr 2024
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Science Memes

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[–] directive0@lemmy.world 6 points 6 months ago (1 children)

Maybe its less like a number as we know it, and more like an ant poem or other mnemonic representation?

[–] tamal3@lemmy.world 3 points 6 months ago (1 children)

Yeah, I always thought it amazing that crows could keep track of items up to five. Maybe we read that one wrong if ants are capable of counting so high, or maybe they're not exactly counting. I'd love to know more.

[–] Zozano@aussie.zone 1 points 6 months ago

I'm pretty sure the ants are using a memory palace (method of loci).

It's simple, they just remember all their siblings born after them, until they arrive at their food. So once they reach Jant they know the food is close. Simply count backwards until they reach Trant and they're home.