WEIRD

Crows are able to count

Experts have discovered thatcrows have a basic understanding of numbers on a similar level to human toddlers.

The researchers have found that the birds are able to control the number of voca lisations they produce, and can 'count' to four in response to cues.

The skill to count out loud requires numerical knowledge and vocal control, a complex ability that is developed in childhood by human beings.

A team of researchers at the University of Tubingen in Germany said: "Producing a specific number of vocalisations with purpose requires a sophisticated combination of numerical abilities and vocal control.

"Whether this capacity exists in animals other than humans is yet unknown. We show that crows can flexibly produce variable numbers of one to four vocalisations in response to arbitrary cues associated with numerical values."

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Shark breaks world record

A shark broke a world record after swimming 17,000 miles across the Pacific Ocean.

The silky shark, nicknamed 'Genie', was first spotted near the Galapagos Marine Reserve in July 2021 and its epic 546-day journey was tracked by the Charles Darwin Foundation.

Genie's journey is the equivalent of crossing the United States from coast to coast approximately four times and was six times as long as the former shark movement record.

Dr Pelayo Salinas de Leon, lead author of the study at the Charles Darwin Foundation, said: "Sharks have been roaming the world's oceans for hundreds of millions of years, and the map boundaries we humans have established on paper mean nothing to them.

"Their long migrations through heavily fished international waters expose them to significant risks, highlighting the need for a coordinated global response to ensure the survival of this highly threatened group of species."

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Cattle prefer females

Embracing cattle has been suggested as a method to ease stress and anxiety, and research has concluded that the fairer sex gains the most benefit from the unorthodox practice.

Researchers recruited 11 humans and two Holstein bulls, called 'Magnus' and 'Callum', to take part in the study.

The animals spent 45 minutes of contact time with each person, where they smelled, licked and accepted food from them.

Analysis showed that cattle had a strong preference for female company, compared to men, while the ladies reported stronger feelings of attachment towards the cattle.

Dr Katherine Compitus, one of the authors of the research at New York University, said: "We have discovered in the current study that bovine-assisted therapy may not only be an effective treatment model that benefits human participants, but appears to be enriching to the cattle participants as well, as shown by their proximity and continuous interactions with humans."