Book cover of Can Fish Count? What Animals Reveal about Our Uniquely Mathematical Minds

Book description

'What I like best about this fascinating book is the detail. Brian Butterworth doesn't just tell us stories of animals with numerical abilities: he tells us about the underlying science. Elegantly written and a joy to read' - Professor Ian Stewart, author of What's the Use? and Taming the Infinite

…

When you buy books, we may earn a commission that helps keep our lights on (or join the rebellion as a member).

Why read it?

1 author picked Can Fish Count? What Animals Reveal about Our Uniquely Mathematical Minds as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

In contrast to the other books that delve into a wide array of questions surrounding animal cognition, this book hones in on a specific mental capacity: the number sense.

The numerical system we're taught in school often stands as a symbol of human intellectual achievement. However, Can Fish Count? takes us on a captivating journey, exploring counting practices across various cultures, from the Incas and Mayans to the Warlpiri, then delving deep into prehistory to Neanderthals, and even examining a diverse range of creatures including primates, insects, and yes, fish.

Brian Butterworth's riveting research unveils a surprising truth: counting is…

If you love Can Fish Count? What Animals Reveal about Our Uniquely Mathematical Minds...

Book cover of December on 5C4

December on 5C4 by Adam Strassberg,

Magical realism meets the magic of Christmas in this mix of Jewish, New Testament, and Santa stories–all reenacted in an urban psychiatric hospital!

On locked ward 5C4, Josh, a patient with many similarities to Jesus, is hospitalized concurrently with Nick, a patient with many similarities to Santa. The two argue…

Want books like Can Fish Count? What Animals Reveal about Our Uniquely Mathematical Minds?

Our community of 13,000+ authors has personally recommended 100 books like Can Fish Count? What Animals Reveal about Our Uniquely Mathematical Minds.

Browse books like Can Fish Count? What Animals Reveal about Our Uniquely Mathematical Minds

Book cover of Solaris
Book cover of Are We Smart Enough to Know How Smart Animals Are?
Book cover of Other Minds: The Octopus, the Sea, and the Deep Origins of Consciousness

Share your top 3 reads of 2026!

And get a beautiful page showing off your 3 favorite reads.

190

readers submitted
so far, will you?

📚 If you like Can Fish Count? What Animals Reveal about Our Uniquely Mathematical Minds, you might also like...

Book cover of Broken Boots, Redeemed Soul: A Veteran’s War with Sin and Salvation

Broken Boots, Redeemed Soul: A Veteran’s War with Sin and Salvation by Brian Lofton,

Broken Boots, Redeemed Soul: A Veteran’s War with Sin and Salvation, is a raw and faith-centered memoir about life after military service—and the internal battles many never see. Brian Lofton shares his journey through addiction, shame, identity loss, and spiritual distance, revealing how the hardest struggles often begin after…

Book cover of No Color Is My Kind

No Color Is My Kind by Thomas R. Cole,

No Color is My Kind tells the stories of the desegregation of Houston, TX, in 1960, the life of civil rights leader Eldrewey Stearns, and the author's relationship to Stearns.

They met in a psychiatric case conference while Stearns was hospitalized at the University of Texas Medical Branch. After his…

5 book lists we think you will like!