Giraffes can make predictions based on statistics, scientists suggest

The ability to make predictions based on statistics is considered a highly developed reasoning skill and has only been seen in large-brained animals such as primates, and keas, species of large parrot found in New Zealand.

A giraffe looking at containers with vegetable sticks (Alvaro Caicoya/University of Barcelona)

Giraffes have the ability to make predictions based on basic statistical calculations – just like humans, a study by scientists suggests.

A small study of four giraffes at the Barcelona Zoo in Spain has shown that these hoofed mammals (ungulates) can calculate the odds of getting their preferred treat from a handler.